Is the definition of NT changing?

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Back when I was 17, I first heard the word and back then it meant someone who isn't on the autism spectrum, but now today, it seems like it now means a normal person, someone who doesn't have any problems or mental illnesses or disabilities.

So that means in Benny & Joon, Sam and Joon weren't NTs because Joon was mildly schizophrenic and Sam had dyslexia and he was out of the norm because of the way he dressed and the way he did stuff.
That would mean my aunt isn't NT either because she is severely schizophrenic and people in wheelchairs or with other type of physical disabilities aren't NT's either and either are people with Bipolar, manic depressive, mental retardation, ADHD, learning disabilities, cognitive disorders, etc.

So does NT really mean now someone who doesn't have any problems instead of someone who isn't on the autism spectrum?

If you're diabetic, would that mean you're not NT either or if you have cancer?

I have been wondering this for awhile because occasionally I will see people saying someone isn't an NT just because they have schizophrenia or are MR and one of my online buddy's told me NT doesn't necessarily mean someone who isn't on the autism spectrum.

I take the term "neurotypical" literally and therefore define it has typical neurological physiology. To me, anyone whose brain is permanently different from what is considered normal is not NT. So people who suffer from occasional depression would be NT because they have normal neurological physiology, at least when they are not depressed. Schizophrenia is associated with obvious neurological differences that show up on MRIs; therefore I do not consider schizophrenics to be NT.

I do realize that this may have something to do with the fact that I:
1) tend to take things literally
2) first found out about the "nt" concept a few months ago

How is it literal to think NT means typical neurological physiology?


I read it meant someone who isn't on the spectrum or did I take that literal?

neuro-typical: neurologically typical. Seems pretty straightforward to me.

That's exactly how I interpret it. I see it as a literal interpretation.

Diabetes and cancer aren't neurological disorders. Even BRAIN cancer is usually not something that will really change you, until it gets advanced, but that isn't sttaic either.

I think NT means NT, like english means english.
Autistics view NT as non autistic, like ahmish view English as non ahmish.

People in wheelchairs or with physical disabilities have nothing to do with neurological state. If a person is free of mental and neurological disorders, they would probably be called NT, even if they had physical impairments.

things like aspergers are the result of the fundimental brain chemistry being different. That is why I am not neurologically typical. Things like schizophrania are often the result of being NT and having a chemical inbalance. In fact hard to say what would happen if the same thing happened to someone that was, lets say, autistic. Chances of that happening isn't too likely so I doubt its been studied.

Anywho, only way definition of NT could change, in my opinion, is if something like aspergers became the new norm and what we now call NT is the minority

Regardless of the actual meaning of the word (no offense) I kind of agree that some people take NT to mean "perfect human, free from any (disorder)"

YEs, it does mean neurologically typical, i agree.

But that doesn't mean thats the context or synonym of it (or whateveR)

Goes hand-in-hand with socialism, being politically correct, etc. IMO.

you mean as implying we are imperfect and inferior? Anyone says that to me, I doubt I could contain my rage at such a blatently ignorant remake.

I certainly hope imply that was not your intent

Um yea. That is what it seems the meaning of NT has changed to IMO. I was agreeing with the author of this IMO.

ANd why cant I say that? Thats what it looks like to me, and thats why I said that. So what?

Did I say that I agree with the meaning? No. I said that I think it means what it says, neurologically typical.

My implications were that it looks like other people use it like that-to mean that those that are not NT are inferior.

And thats why they are trying to find a cure for it.

So? Is this the day where nomnom is not allower to express its opinion without it being misconstrued?
"Anything you say can and will be misconstrued against you"

Freakid-A

Last edited by nomnom_hamster on 12 Dec 2007, 12:19 am, edited 1 time in total.

You should like the quote in my signature then.

How do you even define the word Normal? Is that even a standard definition?

I edited after belle posted hers, fyi.

didnt intend to do that. not that anyone would care i mean that.

normal does seem to mean majority.

normal also seems to mean what the majority wants, which is perfect.

imo. thats just what it looks like to me.

The fact that some people want to cure people with autism is rather scary. Its like their enforcing some standard on people who are already "normal" (and as has been repeated, normal isn't necessarily "normal" except when you want it to be).

Yes it looks as though life would be easier.

Who said that life was supposed to be easy

Everyone is given skills by nurture or nature at birth and by chance or design we are thrown into a life and told to "deal with it".

If you think its any easier for a neurotypical person to go through life than someone with AS or AT, your mistaken.

And thats the other side of the coin, As/At people who want to be cured.

Its like this: You think that by having more money, you would be less stressed about money.

You think that if you have more power, you would be less stressed by everyday life. You would have every whim met.

Those only simply mean you have more responsibility. It doesn't change the stress, it only changes the reasons for the stress over the power, money.

Being NT wouldn't change the fact that life is hard, or that you are actually different from everyone else.

So no, I wouldn't change being AS.

Just like I don't think anyone should try to change us.

They think that being NT would make things easier for us, or them. In reality, it woudn't change anything except the reasons.

And so people saying that NT means perfect are as mistaken as the people who believe it. And are as mistaken as the people who want to change people who are inferior simply because we're different.

Last edited by nomnom_hamster on 12 Dec 2007, 12:38 am, edited 1 time in total.