In-case you are unfamiliar with the language of neurodiversity:
NEURODIVERSITY = The diversity of human minds. Includes both neurotypicals and neurodivergents. A group of people where some are neurotypical and others are neurodivergent.
NEURODIVERGENT = A person who has a different brain from what is considered the norm. This includes autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, OCD, Tourette’s, and other neurological conditions. (ND is short-hand for neurodivergent)
NEUROTYPICAL = A person who does has what is considered to be a typical brain and neurocognitive functioning which falls within the ‘normal’ societal standards. They do not have autism, ADHD, or any other neurological condition. (NT is short-hand for neurotypical).

So here we go, a day in the life of a neurodivergent vs a neurotypical!

It’s time to shower
Neurotypical: showers
Neurodivergent: the sensory transition from dry to wet is too much to handle so the ND sits on their bed working themselves up for twenty minutes before deciding that washing their face with a flannel will do for this morning.

It’s time to get dressed
Neurotypical: gets dressed
Neurodivergent: tries on five different outfits before finally settling with one which doesn’t seem to be itchy, rough, irritating or uncomfortable. It just so happens to be the same outfit the ND wear most days.

It’s breakfast time
Neurotypical: eats the fresh croissants even though they normally have toast
Neurodivergent: thinks that the croissants look nice but eats the same cereal they have eaten every day for breakfast for the past two years because change is too much.

Starting a task
Neurotypical: starts task
Neurodivergent: sits scrolling through social media because they don’t have the executive functioning skills required to switch their mental focus to a different task let alone decide what task to begin with.

Someone gives an instruction
Neurotypical: follows instruction
Neurodivergent: ‘Sorry what exactly is it you mean? Can you repeat that? I don’t understand what you mean. What if I get it wrong? I don’t think I am capable of following your instruction.’

An unexpected disruption to your plan
Neurotypical: deals with disruption and forgets about initial task while being disrupted
Neurodivergent: The ND’s brain – “‘We did not prepare for this scenario, we repeat, we did not prepare for this scenario”. Brain shuts down.

It’s lunch-time
Neurotypical: makes and eats lunch
Neurodivergent: it’s 4pm before they realise they have got carried away and forgot to eat. The prospect of making lunch is stressful because there are too many steps to it and it’s overwhelming so they just stare at the fridge and decide to wait until dinner.

Social interaction
Neurotypical: socialises with ease and enjoys it. Does not come away feeling exhausted.
Neurodivergent: Forgets what their name is and how to speak, collapses with exhaustion following a 10 minute conversation.

Exercise
Neurotypical: exercises
Neurodivergent: The ND brain – “Is that…STICKINESS?? You’re sticky. Code red. Emergency. Order heart rate to rise. You can not calm down until you wash the stickiness off.”

Watching TV
Neurotypical: watches the new series everyone is raving about.
Neurodivergent: watches the same show they have seen two hundred times and watch every day because they are obsessed and it makes them feel safe and happy.

It’s time to go to sleep
Neurotypical: goes to sleep
Neurodivergent: lies awake in bed replaying every second of social interaction from the day, criticising themselves for being awkward and getting everything wrong as usual.

I hope reading this was a bit of fun! What else do you think should be included?