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

neurotypical noun

plural neurotypicals

They spoke about the differences in communication between autistic people and neurotypicals, and how that can impact lives.

—Katie Farthing

Examples of neurotypical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to her, neurotypical children have usually learned alternative ways to express frustration by that age. —Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025

McNicoll’s compassionate, immersive writing has wide appeal for preteen and teen readers, both those neurotypical and neurodivergent. —Sara Rowe Mount, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025

The team found that people with ADHD were more likely than neurotypical participants to endorse a subset of strengths – notably hyperfocus, humor, creativity, spontaneity and intuitiveness – but not all 25. —New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2025

Ivet Rios is a parent of both a neurotypical and a neurodivergent child. —Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

neuro- + typical

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for neurotypical

• prototypical
• atypical
• untypical
• stereotypical
• typical

Medical 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

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