Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you think you're neurotypical?

255 replies

Whyx · 11/04/2023 21:06

Quick search didn't show this had been asked before which surprised me.

A lot of neurodivergent (ND) stuff on social media these days. Got me thinking I am definitely ND maybe ADHD. I always think "surely everyone is like that though???" I struggle to comprehend how anyone could think of do things differently to me.

So Mumsnet - do you think you are neurotypical or neurodiverse?

Yabu - neurotypical

Yanbu - neurodiverse

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 12/04/2023 19:30

I'm NT with a star.

Nothing diagnosable, certainly. I have some dyspraxic traits which drive me absolutely mad, always have done, I am often humiliated by them.

I also have found it interesting to look at autism and ADHD as a family member was recently diagnosed. I just wonder if you grow up with an ND parent it affects your framework of living somehow.

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 12/04/2023 19:35

Nd, definitely autistic but have other dxes (other physical dxes) and also have some tics

Cormoransjacket · 12/04/2023 19:47

I am definitely neurotypical. The anxiety and other minor difficulties that I encounter in day to day life are nothing like my eldest son's experiences of trying to navigate the world. He was diagnosed with ASD when he was 5.

JaneFondue · 12/04/2023 19:59

NT. For sure.

Name2456 · 12/04/2023 20:04

I was diagnosed with autism when I was a young child, and I also have epilepsy which I’m told is a neurodiversity.
I don’t tend to tell people about my autism if I can help it any more though, although I’m told it’s rather obvious. (This isn’t even one of my usual MN usernames).
There was a 10-ish year period where I was ok talking about it, but that’s well over. I also don’t have much to do with the ‘autism community’ any more - my views, experiences, and opinions are unpopular, and I find I don’t relate to many people any more.

Sortyourlifeout · 12/04/2023 20:14

soundsystem · 11/04/2023 21:29

Can childhood trauma make you neurodiverse?!

Show quote history

Most personality disorders stem from childhood trauma.

Cattenberg · 12/04/2023 20:15

Cormoransjacket · 12/04/2023 19:47

I am definitely neurotypical. The anxiety and other minor difficulties that I encounter in day to day life are nothing like my eldest son's experiences of trying to navigate the world. He was diagnosed with ASD when he was 5.

I used to know a four-year-old autistic girl who was non-verbal and had various other difficulties, so I kind of agree. Maybe “autistic” is too broad a term to be helpful. I wouldn’t describe myself as having “high-functioning autism” either, as that makes me think of a maths genius and I’m nothing of the kind.

soundsystem · 12/04/2023 20:17

Well yes personality disorders... do personality disorders come under neurodiversity? A lot of autistic women have historically been misdiagnosed with BPD which is obviously a worry

Mycatisfatafatcat · 12/04/2023 20:22

*Definitely have autistic traits - happy with just one or two friends, love to delve deep into my chosen topics, hypersensitive to loud-ish noise (others don't seem to mind), love to spend time alone.

In fact I just quickly did a test online and have been told there is a strong possibility I am autistic.*

Which of these traits are autistic? What nonsense

Exactfare · 12/04/2023 20:22

CarrotSoupwithCheese · 11/04/2023 21:28

Hmmmm I’m really not sure. I definitely have autistic traits (special interests, struggling to pick up on social cues) and ADHD traits. My brother is autistic and my dad almost definitely was, so it runs in my family.

But I don’t really have the struggles a lot of my ND family and friends face - I can cope with noise and chaos without getting overstimulated, I don’t particularly struggle with anxiety etc.

So I don’t know. Probably on balance I’m NT. I don’t think I’d get a diagnosis unless I started really struggling with life.

But somehow I’ve always felt just a bit different.

Yes this rings very true for me except it's ASD in siblings/ nieces and ADHD in siblings.

And I definitely have ASD traits which caused a bit of depression in my teenage years but I manage well now in my own way

Lolaandbehold · 12/04/2023 20:24

I'm neurotypical but have always been struck by how many people on Mumsnet seem to be neurodiverse or disabled/have disabled. IRL I don't know anyone who isn't neurotypical or is disabled. I have no idea if I/my circle is reflective of society in general or if Mumsnet is. I suspect a mix of both.

Unicornsaregreat · 12/04/2023 20:27

I honestly don’t know.

I’ve really struggled with friendships as an adult which has made me question whether I’m ND. Like I always feel a bit unliked, and it’s not just my imagination- if other people on a WhatsApp group say they are unwell (for example) they get lots of get well soons, whereas I get nothing .

But I don’t score highly on autism tests, so who knows?!

Sortyourlifeout · 12/04/2023 20:28

soundsystem · 12/04/2023 20:17

Well yes personality disorders... do personality disorders come under neurodiversity? A lot of autistic women have historically been misdiagnosed with BPD which is obviously a worry

I was led to believe that personality disorders are ND.

I am a 43 year old female, was diagnosed with BPD about 4 years ago after my MH took another turn. I was suicidal; I have tried to take my own life a number of times. Thankfully I am very well at the moment.

drawingmaps · 12/04/2023 20:30

Lolaandbehold · 12/04/2023 20:24

I'm neurotypical but have always been struck by how many people on Mumsnet seem to be neurodiverse or disabled/have disabled. IRL I don't know anyone who isn't neurotypical or is disabled. I have no idea if I/my circle is reflective of society in general or if Mumsnet is. I suspect a mix of both.

I think partly because disabled people/ parents of disabled people are more likely to come online for support in navigating the world. Also maybe your friend group just isn't very diverse in this way. Although having said that, all my friends are also disabled in some way, so it's partly birds of a feather flock together, and partly that neurotypical able-bodied people tend not to want to hang out with us.

soundsystem · 12/04/2023 20:30

@Sortyourlifeout thank you, I didn't realise that - appreciate you taking the time to respond and glad to hear you're doing ok (I was diagnosed with BPD as a teenager and then later as autistic "instead" - it's a lot to figure out!)

PrincessHoneysuckle · 12/04/2023 20:31

NT

Sortyourlifeout · 12/04/2023 20:32

soundsystem · 12/04/2023 20:30

@Sortyourlifeout thank you, I didn't realise that - appreciate you taking the time to respond and glad to hear you're doing ok (I was diagnosed with BPD as a teenager and then later as autistic "instead" - it's a lot to figure out!)

So glad they sorted your diagnosis out!

BPD is very complicated and very hard to diagnose, especially as a teenager.

HundredMilesAnHour · 12/04/2023 20:34

Until a few months ago, I would have categorically said I was NT. And then (as part of something else with a psychologist), I was diagnosed as having ADHD. It was a complete surprise and not something I'd ever thought about. But my God it explains EVERYTHING!! It was like someone switched the light on when I'd be living in a dark room and didn't know that there was even a light. All quite bonkers really. It changes everything yet it changes nothing if that makes sense.

I spoke to the same psychologist about it earlier today. He said it was obvious within 10-15 mins of talking with me the first time we spoke.

FloorWipes · 12/04/2023 21:32

Personality disorders are neurodivergent. It's really unfortunate that they are so stigmatized and poorly understood. In my opinion, it is also unfortunate that they are called personality disorders as that is often incredibly misleading in a variety of ways.

maddening · 12/04/2023 21:37

FloorWipes · 12/04/2023 21:32

Personality disorders are neurodivergent. It's really unfortunate that they are so stigmatized and poorly understood. In my opinion, it is also unfortunate that they are called personality disorders as that is often incredibly misleading in a variety of ways.

Borderline personality disorder is included in ND, however narcissistic and sociopathic personality disorders are not.

FloorWipes · 12/04/2023 21:42

maddening · 12/04/2023 21:37

Borderline personality disorder is included in ND, however narcissistic and sociopathic personality disorders are not.

Show quote history

I mean there's no official definition. Understandably people don't want to associate with these "bad" disorders and in that sense would separate them from the positive neurodiversity movement but on a neurological level I don't think that makes a lot of sense and it doesn't make sense with my experience of comorbidities either.

AutumnColours9 · 12/04/2023 21:50

Pretty sure I have asd. Have DC with. Not sure whether to pursue diagnosis.

SusanSHelit · 12/04/2023 21:51

I'm ND, diagnosed adhd a few years ago on the NHS so not a 'paid for diagnosis' and not a self diagnosis. It's not just being a bit quirky or ditzy, it's genuinely negatively affected multiple areas of my life from child. From struggling to make friends in primary, grades absolutely tanking from A* to D in secondary (because revising/studying/long form essay type assignments are almost impossible for me). To loosing jobs and romantic relationships, struggling with basics like housework and hygiene etc.

Its only since I was diagnosed and medicated that I've managed to begin getting a grip on my life 4d

firef1y · 12/04/2023 22:00

Don't think, I know. I have an ASD diagnosis, didn't bother with attempting to get one for the ADHD that I very obviously also have.

Punxsutawney · 12/04/2023 22:07

I'm ND, diagnosed adhd a few years ago on the NHS so not a 'paid for diagnosis'.

My autism diagnosis was private. It was a gold standard ADOS assessment and incredibly thorough and I have a very detailed report. In fact it was far more detailed than Ds's NHS autism assessment and report. I may have paid for it, but it was a completed by a qualified professional and accepted without question by my GP and my diagnosis is now on my NHS records.