While many of us have heard of conditions like autism, ADHD, or dyslexia, not everyone is familiar with the bigger idea that connects them all: neurodiversity. At its core, neurodiversity is the understanding that human brains don’t all work the same way, and that’s not a flaw. Just like people differ in height, personality, or creativity, our brains also come with natural variations in how we think, learn, process emotions, and interact with the world.
Neurodiversity shifts the conversation away from “fixing” people and toward accepting those differences as a normal part of being human. To understand this idea in a more relatable way, we took a dive into r/neurodiversity, where people use humor and memes to explain what living in a neurodivergent brain actually feels like.
#1 Pretty Much
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#2 Is It Wrong If My Sense Of Humor Doesn’t Involve Being Offensive To Everything And Everyone?
Image source: ClaireDacloush
#3 This
Image source: Effective-War1601
The concept of neurodiversity was introduced by Judy Singer, an Australian sociologist who is also autistic. She noticed that society often treats people with different brains as problems that need fixing. That never sat right with her. Instead, she believed these differences deserved the same respect as any other kind of human diversity. Singer framed neurodiversity as a social justice movement, not a medical label.
Her message was simple but powerful: different doesn’t mean broken. Over time, this idea helped change conversations around autism, ADHD, and learning differences. It encouraged people to focus on strengths, not just struggles. Today, her work continues to influence how schools, workplaces, and communities think about inclusion.
#4 I Thought This Was Good!
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#5 Wish More People Understood And Accepted This
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#6 I Have Adhd And I Think This Is More Of Neurodivergence Issue Than Just Autism But Well Said Anyways!
Image source: bulshitterio
Neurodiversity is a broad term that refers to the natural variety in how human brains function. It includes everyone, not just people with diagnoses. Just like people have different personalities, talents, and cultures, brains also come in many forms. Some process information quickly, others deeply. Some thrive on structure, while others work best with flexibility. The idea behind neurodiversity is that there is no single “right” way to think or learn. Differences are expected, not unusual. This mindset shifts the focus from fixing people to understanding them. It also opens the door to more compassion and better support systems.
#7 What I Was Drawing At 7 Years Old
Image source: Luc-redd
#8 I Legit Never Know If Someone Is Just Being Dismissive Using The First Statement Or If They Actually Mean The Second Statement
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#9 Who All Can Relate?
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Neurodivergent is a term used for individuals whose brains work differently from what society considers typical. This could affect attention, communication, sensory processing, memory, or emotional regulation. Being neurodivergent doesn’t automatically mean life is harder; it just means it’s different. Some people struggle in traditional systems like school or office settings. Others shine in creative, technical, or problem-solving roles. Many experience both strengths and challenges at the same time. The term isn’t meant to label or limit anyone. It’s simply a way to describe how someone experiences the world.
#10 I Do All The Cooking, But My Wife Has A Difficult Time Deciding What She Wants. So I Made Her A Menu
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#11 I Feel Seen
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#12 I Did Not Know What Neurodivergent Meant Before This Morning. I Researched It After Relating To Everything In This Post I Saw On Facebook. Many Things Make More Sense Now
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“Neurotypical” describes people whose brains function in ways society sees as standard or expected. This includes how they communicate, learn, and respond emotionally. Most systems—schools, workplaces, schedules—are designed with neurotypical people in mind. That doesn’t mean neurotypical people don’t face challenges. It just means their challenges tend to fit within existing structures more easily. Being neurotypical isn’t better or more correct. It’s simply more common.
#13 Via Fb
Image source: Tfmrf9000
#14 Leela Understands
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#15 Hmm
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“Neurodiverse” is often misunderstood, but it actually refers to groups, not individuals. A classroom, office, or community can be neurodiverse if it includes people with different types of brains. Think of it like biodiversity in nature—variety makes systems stronger. A neurodiverse group benefits from multiple perspectives and ways of thinking. Creativity, innovation, and empathy often grow in these environments.
#16 I Made A Meme That I Thought Y’all Might Enjoy! Inspired By My Convos With My ND Pals
Image source: kdgetschwifty
#17 Hm
Image source: Effective-War1601
#18 Can Anyone Else Relate To This?
Image source: Tune-In947
Neurodiversity includes many different brain types and experiences. This includes autism, which can affect communication and social interaction, and ADHD, which can influence attention, energy levels, and impulse control. These differences often come with challenges but also strengths that are frequently overlooked.
#19 My Life Is Finally Starting To Make Sense
Image source: Majestic-Incident
#20 Someone Shared This And It Kind Of Pissed Me Off – Sometimes I Have To Shut Down To Deal With Things. It’s Not A Choice
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#21 A Lady Came Up To Me At A Bar To Tell Me That My Shirt Isn’t Funny
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#22 To Anyone Feeling Like An Imposter Pre/Post Diagnosis:
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Neurodiversity also includes learning differences like dyslexia (reading), dyscalculia (math), and dysgraphia (writing). It can also include dyspraxia, which affects coordination, and Tourette syndrome, which involves involuntary movements or sounds. Some people also include mental health conditions like OCD, bipolar disorder, or PTSD under the neurodiversity umbrella, especially when they shape how a person experiences the world over time.
#23 Hi! I Think A Lot Of Neurodivergent People Can Relate To Having Alexithymia So I Made This Comic, Hope You Guys Like It
Image source: intj_art
#24 Nooo, My Thingy
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#25 Head-Heart Interaction
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#26 I Guess I’m A Dragon In A Human Body
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Understanding these terms better helps us be more aware, compassionate, and open to differences around us. It reminds us that everyone’s brain works a little differently, and that’s not something to fix; it’s something to understand. That’s also why neurodiversity memes work so well. They explain complex experiences in a light, relatable, and often funny way that makes people feel seen. Sometimes a single meme says what paragraphs can’t. Which one of these made you smile the most?
#27 Please Tell Me I’m Not The Only One
Image source: Slow_Explanation_02
#28 Masking Gets So Exhausting
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#29 Me_irl
Image source: JoyouslyMe
#30 Not Far Off From My Experience. (Coming From Someone Who’s Questioning If I Have Autism)
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#31 The “Crazy” Cat Ladies Understand
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#32 Math Process With Adhd
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#33 When You Know, You Know
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#34 Is This True?? (Insta Reel)
Image source: AnxiousShithead02
#35 The War Between Autism Wanting Perfection And Strict Routine And Adhd Fighting That Tooth And Nail For A Disorganized Mess
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#36 Always & Forever LOL
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#37 Acting Like An Adult ≠ Acting Neurotypical
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#38 Why Is It A Comfort Zone If I’m Not Supposed To Stay In It?
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#39 Does Anyone Else Stand With Their Feet Like This? Is It An Adhd/Asd-Thing?
Image source: Ezaane
#40 How Has Being Neurodivergent Affected Your Job Prospects?
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#41 Thought This Might Be Appreciated Here 😂
Image source: obiwanpostolski
#42 Well, I Wish Causing Autism Wasn’t Considered To Be A Bad Thing. That Would Make Something Actually Change
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#43 Egg_irl
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#44 Rick Riordan Appreciation Post
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#45 Accomplished So Many Things Today…in My Head
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#46 Just Wanted To Share My Very First Vinyl Sticker
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#47 LOL
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