Who Exactly are 'NTs'?

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Supposedly the meaning of 'neurotypical' was originally 'not-autistic'. Over the years it seems to have morphed into many other variations, all of which are quite unclear. It's apparently a fact that the majority of people in this world are neurotypical, though what I see on this board says otherwise. I'll keep this post brief, and elaborate in further posts if needed. I've seen the following on these boards:

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+ Individuals with ADHD aren't neurotypical
+ Gifted individuals aren't neurotypical (This implies individuals with lower intelligence are also not NT)
+ Individuals with clinical depression or any other severe mental illness are not neurotypical
+ Individuals with bad social skills are not NT

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1. If all those are true, and the diagnostic rates stand as they are, then how could the vast majority of this world possibly be NT?
2. In what way do 'true' neurotypicals process things? Who even are those neurotypicals? What qualities must you possess to qualify?
3. Why would individuals above described as 'not being NT' (i.e. gifted) not be so while others are?

I view them as people with typical neurology, like their brains work like most peoples do....then there are people who deviate from that.

But how would you define a brain that 'works as most people's do', especially considering statements others have made?

Anyone who does not have a diagnosable neurological disorder, simple as that.

An NT is someone who has a s***load of problems and difficulties in life that aren't autism related.

Spot on!

Very true and a good observation. If they aren't the majority then they surely aren't typical. What are the diagnostic rates by the way?



I think gifted people are NTs, I don't see why they wouldn't be. And I'll get flack for this, but in my opinion only autistic people aren't NTs. Neurodiversity exists, but for me the variation in neurotypicality includes all those varying degrees of neurology.

To me the concept of neurotypicality is a term of distinction.

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Last edited by Acedia on 23 Mar 2014, 5:59 am, edited 2 times in total.

I never use the term 'NT' as for me it smacks of 'us' & 'them'. However, I can understand how 'NT' came into being and consequently became debased. However, I find it childish and unhelpful.

Most of my non autistic friends are far from neurologically typical.

Psychological disturbance creates pathways in the brain that make it nearly impossible to discern a traumatic pattering from a psychological one.

Completely agree, for me it is just a helpful word to use for distinction. I try to use it as less as possible.

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NT means neurologicaly typical; the most typicaly found neurological profile,it means someone who doesnt have any neurological [physical] or neuro chemical [biological] defecits.
it doesnt mean not autistic but it is widely used to mean that in the autistic community.

Thanks. I have learned that from all the kids in the mostly help and advice forum I'm on. Was just talking PM to a kid yesterday who is NT, but has so many difficulties. Even though our neurology is different I could related to his problems with anger and being misunderstood, some physical problems he has etc. I've yet to run across an NT on the forum who is living a fairy tale life and who does not have problems that are different but similar to my own.

Exactly this. This is how I view it.

Without getting too into it, I believe as we have better tools to measure and define the human brain and as our understanding of genetics becomes more robust, that we will find diversity is on a larger scale than we ever imagined in regards to what is typical neurology.

We need a like button, so I don't have to post every time I like/agree with something
I like this, it's great.

I'm not sure that it's a numbers game in this case. There may be more non-nurotypical people (autism or otherwise) in the world but there's a social stigma attached. So people who don't qualify keep quiet.