Let's begin with a comprehensive chart that outlines how neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals often differ across several domains. Note that “neurodivergent” here encompasses conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental variations. These differences are drawn from current research and reviews across multiple fields.
Neurodivergent people often describe the world as “too loud” or “too bright” (or, in some cases, not stimulating enough), leading to strategies such as stimming or seeking sensory input in specific ways. For instance, repetitive movements (stimming) may help regulate sensory overload or under-stimulation.
While many neurotypical people might smoothly navigate social and emotional cues, neurodivergent individuals can experience emotions with greater intensity or with different triggers. Research on the “double empathy problem” has shown that miscommunications in emotional understanding are bidirectional.
The presence of repetitive behaviors and focused interests—often misinterpreted as deficits—is a hallmark in many neurodivergent profiles. These behaviors, including stimming or strict routines, serve self-regulatory functions rather than simply being “abnormal.”
Social interactions can be challenging due to differences in nonverbal cues and communication styles. Autistic individuals, for example, may experience a “double empathy” gap, where both parties in a neurodivergent–neurotypical interaction struggle to understand each other. However, interactions among similar neurotypes are often reported as more harmonious and mutually enriching.
Although less extensively researched, spirituality in neurodivergent individuals may be characterized by a more personal or idiosyncratic engagement with the divine, often relying on sensory or emotional experiences rather than structured, traditional rituals.
This chart is meant to provide a snapshot based on current research findings and acknowledges that there is considerable variation within both groups. Individual experiences may differ widely, and these domains are interconnected rather than strictly compartmentalized.
| Domain | Neurotypical | Neurodivergent | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical | Sensory processing and motor coordination generally follow expected, culturally normative patterns. Responses to sensory stimuli are typically within a “normal” range. | May exhibit hyper‐ or hypo‐sensitivity to sensory input (e.g., light, sound, touch). Differences in motor coordination and sensory integration are common (e.g., stimming may serve as a self‐regulatory mechanism). |
Stimming TikTok Trend Explained The Daily Telegraph Neurodiversity Wikipedia "Neurodiversity" is another term for neurodivergence. |
| Emotional | Emotional regulation and expression generally align with cultural expectations. Cognitive and affective empathy are experienced and expressed in common ways. | May experience emotions more intensely or in atypical ways. Some neurodivergent individuals report differences in regulating and articulating emotions (for example, challenges with cognitive empathy but often intact or even heightened affective empathy). |
What People With Autism Can Teach Us About Resilience Time Magazine |
| Behavioral | Behaviors tend to conform to social norms; fewer observable repetitive actions. Social routines and non‐repetitive activities are common. | May show repetitive behaviors (stimming), intense focus on specific interests, and unique coping strategies. Some may consciously mask or compensate for differences to “fit in,” which can be mentally taxing. |
What Is Stimming and Why Is TikTok So Obsessed With It? The Daily Telegraph |
| Relational | Social communication is often intuitive and reciprocal; building and maintaining relationships follows expected social scripts. | Social communication and relationship building can differ markedly; many neurodivergent people may struggle with “reading” neurotypical cues yet often excel in interactions with similar peers (the “double empathy” issue). They may use alternative communication styles and value clear, explicit interactions. |
Neurotypical vs. Neurodivergent Experiences Prosper Health Blog |
| Spiritual | Spirituality and religious practices are typically experienced and expressed through culturally mainstream rituals and doctrines. | Spiritual experiences may be more individualized or abstract; some neurodivergent individuals report unique sensory or emotional engagements with spirituality and may prefer non-traditional or personalized expressions of faith. They might feel less drawn to formal ritual when these do not match their internal experience. |
Religiosity In Autism PMC Review |