neurotypical
adjective
neu·ro·typ·i·cal
ˌnu̇r-ō-ˈti-pi-kəl 
ˌnyu̇r-
: not affected with a disorder or condition (such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder) that impacts the way the brain processes information : exhibiting or characteristic of typical neurological development
neurotypical students
With developmental disorders, there is an added layer of confusion because people often appear neurotypical; they function well in some situations and not in others.—
Sallie Tisdale
compare neurodivergent
Sallie Tisdale
neurotypical
noun
plural neurotypicals
They spoke about the differences in communication between autistic people and neurotypicals, and how that can impact lives.
—Katie Farthing
Katie Farthing
Examples of neurotypical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the first study of its kind, scientists have used extensive data to identify that adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a significantly lower life expectancy than their neurotypical peers.
—New Atlas, 3 Feb. 2025
Research shows that autistic professionals can be up to 140% more productive than their neurotypical peers when properly matched to roles that align with their strengths.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
On average, autistic participants reported 24% less envy than neurotypical participants.
—Trystan Loustau and Liane Young, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
Instead, these studies focus on children already diagnosed with autism, comparing them to their siblings and unrelated neurotypical children.
—Angelica P. Ahrens, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2024
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New Atlas, 3 Feb. 2025
Research shows that autistic professionals can be up to 140% more productive than their neurotypical peers when properly matched to roles that align with their strengths.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
On average, autistic participants reported 24% less envy than neurotypical participants.
—Trystan Loustau and Liane Young, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
Instead, these studies focus on children already diagnosed with autism, comparing them to their siblings and unrelated neurotypical children.
—Angelica P. Ahrens, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for neurotypical
Dictionary Entries Near neurotypical
Cite this Entry
“Neurotypical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neurotypical. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
neurotypical
adjective
neu·ro·typ·i·cal
ˌn(y)u̇r-(ˌ)ȯ-ˈti-pi-kəl
: not affected with a disorder or condition (such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder) that impacts the way the brain processes information : exhibiting or characteristic of typical neurological development
Routine disruption appeared to be among the biggest stressors of the children with autism, compared to neurotypical peers. It is possible that this stress led to other challenges during the pandemic. … While the greatest stressor in the neurotypical group was isolation from friends, it was much less of a stressor for children with autism.—Helen M. Genova et al., Frontiers in Education
compare neurodivergent
Helen M. Genova et al., Frontiers in Education
neurotypical
noun
Individuals with autism may have different emotional responses than neurotypicals to the same situations, making it harder for neurotypicals to identify the antecedent of various reactions among individuals with autism.
—Sarah Hansen, Hussman Institute for Autism
Sarah Hansen, Hussman Institute for Autism
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