Neurodivergent Conditions
B
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Bipolar Disorder (Neurodivergent expression)
Mood regulation differences; some identify cognitive/emotional intensity as part of neurodivergence.
C
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME, in neurodivergent context)
Often overlaps with neurodivergent sensory and energy regulation differences.
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Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)
Difficulty processing auditory information despite normal hearing.
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Convergence Insufficiency
A visual disorder where the eyes struggle to work together when focusing on near objects, often causing eye strain, headaches, and reading difficulties.
D
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Dyscalculia
Difficulty with understanding numbers and math concepts.
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Dysgraphia
Challenges with handwriting and written expression.
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Dyslexia
Difficulty decoding, reading, and spelling words.
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Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder)
Impaired motor coordination, affecting movement, balance, and sometimes speech.
E
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Endometriosis
A condition in which cells similar to the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, grow outside the uterus.
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Epilepsy (Neurodivergent overlap)
Neurological condition with seizures; some people with autism or ADHD also have epilepsy.
F
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Fragile X Syndrome
Genetic condition causing intellectual disability, anxiety, and sensory differences.
G
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Gender Dysphoria
A diagnosis in the DSM-5-TR defined as clinically significant distress or impairment due to gender incongruence, which may include a desire to change primary and/or secondary sex characteristics. Not all transgender or gender diverse people experience gender dysphoria.
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Gifted / Twice-Exceptional (2e)
High intellectual abilities alongside neurodivergent challenges like ADHD, autism, or learning disabilities.
H
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Hypermobility
A condition where joints move beyond the normal range of motion, often referred to as being 'double-jointed'. It can be an inherited trait, may occur by itself, or can be a symptom of an underlying connective tissue disorder such as Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder or Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
I
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Insomnia
Sleep disorder characterised by difficulty falling or staying asleep, which can lead to daytime fatigue, poor concentration, and mood changes.
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Intellectual Disability
Limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive skills.
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Intermittent Explosive Disorder
Impulsive aggression outbursts; sometimes co-occurs with neurodivergence.
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS, neurodivergent expression)
Chronic gastrointestinal (GI) condition sometimes linked with neurodivergent traits like heightened sensory sensitivity, stress reactivity, and gut–brain axis differences.
L
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Language Processing Disorder
Difficulty understanding, producing, or processing language.
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Learning Disabilities
Broad category including dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.
M
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Mental Health Disorders
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Anxiety (Generalised Anxiety Disorder - GAD; Social Anxiety Disorder - SAD)
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Bipolar Disorder
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Depression (Major Depressive Disorder - MDD)
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Eating Disorder
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Obsessive‑Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
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Panic Disorder
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Personality Disorder
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex variation (CPTSD)
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Schizoaffective Disorder
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Misophonia
Intense emotional reactions to certain sounds; sometimes co-occurs with autism or ADHD.
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Mittelschmerz
The term for one-sided lower abdominal pain that occurs during ovulation, midway through the menstrual cycle.
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Mood Disorders (Neurodivergent expression)
Differences in emotional regulation, including depression or anxiety as part of neurodivergent profiles.
O
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Repetitive thoughts and behaviours; often linked with executive functioning differences.
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Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Defiant or oppositional behaviours, frequently co-occurring with ADHD.
P
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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
A hormonal disorder characterised by irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, and infertility.
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Postnatal Depression (PND)
A mood disorder that can affect new parents, causing symptoms like intense sadness, anxiety, and overwhelming feelings that make it difficult to care for a baby or function daily.
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD, in neurodivergent context)
Differences in processing trauma, often overlapping with sensory sensitivities.
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Prader-Willi Syndrome
Genetic condition affecting cognition, behaviour, and appetite. Slower cognitive processing, affecting learning and task completion.
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Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
A severe form of premenstrual syndrome that involves significant emotional and psychological distress before menstruation, with symptoms typically improving once a period begins.
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Processing Speed Disorder
Slower cognitive processing, affecting learning and task completion.
S
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Schizoaffective Disorder
Mood disorder with psychosis-like symptoms; sometimes included in neurodivergent discussions.
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Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
Over- or under-sensitivity to sensory input.
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Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder
Difficulties with social aspects of communication without repetitive behaviors of autism.
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Synesthesia
Cross-wired senses (e.g., seeing colors for numbers); some consider this a form of neurodivergence.
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Specific Learning Disorders
Focused learning differences in reading, writing, or math.
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Sleep Disorders (Neurodivergent expression)
Chronic sleep difficulties often associated with ADHD or autism.
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Spina Bifida (Neurodivergent overlap)
Can involve cognitive differences alongside physical challenges.
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Stroke / Acquired Brain Injury (Neurodivergent expression)
Can lead to cognitive, sensory, or communication differences.
T
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Tourette Syndrome / Tic Disorders
Involuntary motor or vocal tics.
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Trichotillomania
Compulsive hair-pulling, sometimes linked to obsessive-compulsive traits.
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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI, neurodivergent effects)
Can cause lasting cognitive and sensory differences.
V
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Visual Processing Disorder
Difficulty interpreting visual information despite normal eyesight.
A
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Neurodevelopmental condition characterised by difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Differences in social communication, sensory processing, and repetitive behaviours. Autism is classified into three levels based on the degree of support an individual requires: Level 1 (requiring support), Level 2 (requiring substantial support), and Level 3 (requiring very substantial support).
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Agnosia (Neurodevelopmental/Acquired)
Difficulty recognising objects, faces, sounds, or smells despite normal sensory function.
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Alexithymia
Difficulty identifying and describing emotions; often co-occurs with autism.
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Anxiety Disorders (Neurodivergent expression)
Includes conditions such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), panic disorder, and phobias, often overlapping with neurodivergent traits and executive functioning differences.