neurotypical

adjective

neu·​ro·​typ·​i·​cal ˌnu̇r-ō-ˈti-pi-kəl 

ˌnyu̇r-

: not affected with a developmental disorder and especially autism spectrum disorder : exhibiting or characteristic of typical neurological development

neurotypical students

the neurotypical brain

neurotypical noun

Examples of neurotypical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Food sensory issues result from differences in processing sensations as well as a need for safety in a world made for neurotypical minds. —Betsy Andrews, Saveur, 14 Feb. 2024

Animation studio for the series’ animation, and a production team of neurodiverse and neurotypical writers, advisers and voice talent. —Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Nov. 2023

Most of these studies analyzed tissue from the same three brains, all donated by neurotypical men of European ancestry. —Celia Ford, WIRED, 12 Oct. 2023

One study, which analyzed 1.1 million cells in 42 brain regions of neurotypical adults, identified specific neuronal cell types—mainly in the basal ganglia, a region involved in addictive behaviors—that were linked to 19 neuropsychiatric disorders and traits. —Popular Science, 12 Oct. 2023

In general, students with ASD are placed in special education classes, separate from their neurotypical peers. —Alexander Lopez, Fortune, 1 Sep. 2023

And then folks who are neurotypical are those who fall outside of those categories. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 25 Aug. 2023

But children with autism are 160 times more likely to drown than neurotypical kids, according to a 2017 study in the American Journal of Public Health. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 19 July 2023

The Sammy Center is inclusive of neurotypical and neurodivergent students and doesn’t turn children away because of behavioral issues. —Megan Banta, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

neuro- + typical

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

neurotypical

adjective

neu·​ro·​typ·​i·​cal ˌn(y)u̇r-(ˌ)ȯ-ˈti-pi-kəl 

: not affected with a developmental disorder and especially autism spectrum disorder : exhibiting or characteristic of typical neurological development

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, Harper's

neurotypical noun

Studies have repeatedly shown that people with autism perform better than neurotypicals (that is, people whose brains function in a more typical fashion) on embedded-figure tests—a variation on the old something's hidden-in-the-picture game.

—Temple Grandin and Richard Panek, Time