Neurotypical vs. Neurodivergent Thinking — Opposites or Just Different Routes?

[GHA]

I’ve often heard it said that neurotypicals (NTs) are “typical” in their thought processes, while neurodivergents (NDs) are the opposite. I do believe there’s truth to it — but there’s also some nuance that’s worth adding.

From what I’ve read and observed, the “opposite” nature is less about one group thinking against the other, and more about how information is processed and prioritised.

• NTs often process through strong social inference — predicting intentions, reading between the lines, and relying on shared context.
• NDs may process through more direct, fact-based, or pattern-based reasoning — noticing details others overlook, following logic over social convention, or approaching a problem from an unexpected angle.
• There may be an overlap — I find this in my own case — but originality and creativity seem to be dominant traits in NDs. Their ability to generate ideas that break away from the predictable patterns of conventional thinking is often their greatest strength. While NT thinking can be highly efficient within established frameworks, ND thinking can step completely outside those frameworks, connecting elements in ways most people wouldn’t even consider.

In short, it’s not that one group is the reverse of the other — it’s that they’re navigating the world using maps drawn from different priorities.

What do you think — does your experience match this?

 

[Outdated]

When I was 13 or 14 Douglas Adams (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) released a new book called Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. I read the inside of the dust cover and it said the book was about the interconnectedness of all things.

That was a light bulb moment for me, that's the difference between the way my brain works and most other people's. That's the difference with the way my memory works. Also the difference with the way my brain handles knowledge and logic.

If you ask me about a book just an hour after I've finished reading it I won't be able to tell you much about it, 3 or 4 days later I have full access to all of that. It has to interconnect with everything else I already know, once it has done so then I have better access to that memory than most people have.

I don't just remember a thing, with that memory is also tied in when and where I learnt that thing, who was there at the time, under what context, my emotional state at the time, etc. I don't just remember the lesson that I learned all by itself, my memory doesn't work that way. It has to store the whole package or it doesn't compute. Memories stored this way are less prone to corruption over time.

Then I overheard the term Linear Learning, and it gave me the idea of Linear Memory.

As a kid in school that's what it seemed like to me. All the other kids remembered everything in one big long and unwieldy list where as my brain uses spreadsheets. It takes a bit longer to fill out a spreadsheet than it does to scrawl a few more words at the bottom of a list but it's far more practical.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I’ve often heard it said that neurotypicals (NTs) are “typical” in their thought processes, while neurodivergents (NDs) are the opposite. I do believe there’s truth to it — but there’s also some nuance that’s worth adding.

From what I’ve read and observed, the “opposite” nature is less about one group thinking against the other, and more about how information is processed and prioritised.

• NTs often process through strong social inference — predicting intentions, reading between the lines, and relying on shared context.
• NDs may process through more direct, fact-based, or pattern-based reasoning — noticing details others overlook, following logic over social convention, or approaching a problem from an unexpected angle.
• There may be an overlap — I find this in my own case — but originality and creativity seem to be dominant traits in NDs. Their ability to generate ideas that break away from the predictable patterns of conventional thinking is often their greatest strength. While NT thinking can be highly efficient within established frameworks, ND thinking can step completely outside those frameworks, connecting elements in ways most people wouldn’t even consider.

In short, it’s not that one group is the reverse of the other — it’s that they’re navigating the world using maps drawn from different priorities.

What do you think — does your experience match this?

I think that's a fair analysis.

Having a NT wife, working with the public for 40 years...I would not generalize and suggest the thinking is opposite, per se, but definitely different.

The ND community does not limit itself to ASD or ADHD, but rather we are just a few under that umbrella. That said, we must be careful not to conflate the two. Yes, ASD is ND, but not all ND are ASD.

Even within the subset of ASD there is incredible neurodiversity within itself. Throw in varying sensory issues, intelligences, co-morbidities, etc. and how we sense our world, how we react to it, how we think...all of that can vary. Spend enough time on this forum and you will see that not everyone is thinking the same and can have a different view of their world.

 

[Vesta]

I don’t have the kind of neurotypical thinking that you described. Although, I don’t have an official diagnosis indicating a neurodivergence. It’s just that my logic might not be entirely coherent.

 

[Outdated]

I don’t have the kind of neurotypical thinking that you described.

There is no set way that neurodivergent people think, in fact that's the main reason neurotypical people have so much trouble diagnosing us, we're not all the same. There's differences in levels of intelligence and ways in which memory works and ways in which emotional attachments are formed. There's a huge amount of differences amongst us.

Both Neonatal and I are high functioning with exceptional intelligence, we only represent a small fraction of the entire neurodiverse community.

 

[Vesta]

There is no set way that neurodivergent people think, in fact that's the main reason neurotypical people have so much trouble diagnosing us, we're not all the same. There's differences in levels of intelligence and ways in which memory works and ways in which emotional attachments are formed. There's a huge amount of differences amongst us.

Both Neonatal and I are high functioning with exceptional intelligence, we only represent a small fraction of the entire neurodiverse community.

Yes many publications point to the presence of developed logical thinking and other similar characteristics in high-functioning autistics. However, I do not possess such traits; when listening to stories from people describing their symptoms in videos, I did not find any pronounced differences between them and most ordinary people. For example, Lana Rhoades, who cannot eat raw meat and is not tolerant of pain.

 

[Outdated]

Yes many publications point to the presence of developed logical thinking and other similar characteristics in high-functioning autistics. However, I do not possess such traits; when listening to stories from people describing their symptoms in videos, I did not find any pronounced differences between them and most ordinary people. For example, Lana Rhoades, who cannot eat raw meat and is not tolerant of pain.

This is where you're probably getting confused. There are almost no publications by neurodivergent people, they all come from neurotypical people that might be well meaning but are not capable of understanding and never will be able to understand no matter how hard they try.

Imagine a book describing what it's like to live as a woman - written by a man. That's as close as you'll ever get to a neurotypical person understanding autism.

As for a video by a former porn star, likely not worth the time it took you to watch it.

The only way you can really learn about autism is by talking to others that live it, and if you don't also live it yourself then you'll never really understand. Start reading posts from more people in this forum and you'll begin to notice just how broad the spectrum is.

 

[GHA]

Yes many publications point to the presence of developed logical thinking and other similar characteristics in high-functioning autistics. However, I do not possess such traits; when listening to stories from people describing their symptoms in videos, I did not find any pronounced differences between them and most ordinary people. For example, Lana Rhoades, who cannot eat raw meat and is not tolerant of pain.

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I completely agree — there is no single way neurodivergent people think, and that diversity is precisely why it’s so hard to generalize. My original post wasn’t intended as a definitive statement on ND vs NT thinking, but as a reflection from lived experience.

For example, my own son is high-functioning and excels in logical modelling, yet he also has a remarkably high pain threshold — something that doesn’t show up in standard ‘strengths and weaknesses’ lists. Traits like that are part of the reason I don’t believe in neat boxes or fixed labels.

Every ND I’ve known has a unique configuration of strengths, sensitivities, and processing styles. Some may overlap with neurotypical traits, others may be opposite, and many sit somewhere in between. That complexity makes the conversation richer, and it’s why I value perspectives like yours — they help expand the lens beyond what one person’s experience can capture.”

 

[GHA]

This is where you're probably getting confused. There are almost no publications by neurodivergent people, they all come from neurotypical people that might be well meaning but are not capable of understanding and never will be able to understand no matter how hard they try.

Imagine a book describing what it's like to live as a woman - written by a man. That's as close as you'll ever get to a neurotypical person understanding autism.

As for a video by a former porn star, likely not worth the time it took you to watch it.

The only way you can really learn about autism is by talking to others that live it, and if you don't also live it yourself then you'll never really understand. Start reading posts from more people in this forum and you'll begin to notice just how broad the spectrum is.

Brilliant!!

 

[Outdated]

...yet he also has a remarkably high pain threshold — something that doesn’t show up in standard ‘strengths and weaknesses’ lists. Traits like that are part of the reason I don’t believe in neat boxes or fixed labels.

There's a few of us in here like this. I've confused nurses a few times because at first they think that there's something wrong with me and that I can't feel pain. Wrong, I'm hypersensitive and much more aware of what's happening to my body than most, just because I don't suddenly vault out of my chair and start screaming for morphine doesn't mean I can't feel it or that it doesn't hurt.

 

[Vesta]

It is often said that neurotypical personalities communicate well, find a common language, have similar views. I remember the words of a person with ADHD, who claimed that neuro-excellent is a separate type of person, are recalled
In general, autistic people do not have much internal dialogue.I read an autistic article about how he thinks, and this explains some of the difficulties they face. Some autistic people claim that it is difficult for them to express their thoughts, even with a high level of IQ

 

[Neonatal RRT]

For example, my own son is high-functioning and excels in logical modelling, yet he also has a remarkably high pain threshold — something that doesn’t show up in standard ‘strengths and weaknesses’ lists. Traits like that are part of the reason I don’t believe in neat boxes or fixed labels.

The same here. In fact, I used it to my advantage in strength competitions when I was younger. I competed at the national level in powerlifting for several years and set some 11 national records in 2 different weight classes...I would win against much better athletes frequently. Pain was not an "OFF switch" for me...I would keep pushing harder. On the other hand, it was that same remarkably high pain threshold that did me in, as my body simply didn't know its limits and I would repeatedly tear muscles and tendons. Something would snap, tear, or shred in the gym...loud enough people would stop and look...and I would just walk away with a limb that was limp and numb...and do something else in the gym. I would go into the sports massage therapist's sessions...they would dig into injured areas with elbows and thumbs trying to break up scarred, calcified tissue...and I would literally be falling asleep on the table. They were dumbfounded...they were doing things to me that would have the most manly, Stoic, men crying in pain...and I wouldn't even react.

Overall, it has been blessing and a curse in my daily life, because my tolerance of "discomfort" is very high. I can work under a tremendous amount of sensory overload and have for as long as I can remember, even as a child. As a kid, I was doing yard work in extreme heat for hours on end, or my clothing frozen to my skin in the cold of winter...I had jobs to do...people were paying me to finish the job...and being 9, 12, 16 years old wasn't even a consideration. Keep in mind, I am still autistic with sensory issues, things are often quite amplified, and I have simply learned to push through because, in part, all of that is secondary to my responsibilities to myself, my family, my patients, my co-workers, etc. Gen X..."Shut up and do your job!...Nobody cares!" So, I put in the hours and just deal with it. On the other hand, now as an older adult, I am on medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, testosterone, and thyroid. I have arthritis in my knees and ankles...may be looking at bilateral knee replacements. The price I pay for my work ethic.

 

[Outdated]

It is often said that neurotypical personalities communicate well, find a common language, have similar views.

A lot of neurodivergent people have severe difficulties in communicating so I'm not sure where that came from. As for similar views - once again read though this forum a bit, there's a lot of us that can't relate to each other at all.

In general, it seems that there is no internal thinking of autistic people.

??!
The word Autism literally translates as "of the self". The great majority of us spend most of our lives inside our own heads.

Some autistic people claim that it is difficult for them to express their thoughts, even with a high level of IQ

This relates back to the communication problems. Just because someone struggles to explain what they're thinking doesn't mean they don't think.

 

[Vesta]

A lot of neurodivergent people have severe difficulties in communicating so I'm not sure where that came from. As for similar views - once again read though this forum a bit, there's a lot of us that can't relate to each other at all.

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't express myself quite right. I meant to say that neurodivergent can get along well with each other

 

[Outdated]

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't express myself quite right. I meant to say that neurodivergent can get along well with each other

The same as with any other people in any other demographic, there's some in here that I get along with exceptionally well specifically because we communicate with each other quite well even though we live very different lives. In these instances we do seem to agree with each other a lot on an instinctive level and it's much easier to communicate with each other than it is for us to communicate with others.

I've found this to be true in all walks of life, not just neurodivergent circles. Some people just naturally click with each other. When you get out and socialise amongst real people in real world situations instead of living online you'll find this level of understanding with many people. The more people you meet the more people you'll find that click with you.

Then there's others that I struggle to communicate with on the same levels. Different cultural backgrounds, different levels of education, different world concepts, etc can all contribute to difficulties in how well we get along with each other.

 

[Vesta]

The same as with any other people in any other demographic, there's some in here that I get along with exceptionally well specifically because we communicate with each other quite well even though we live very different lives. In these instances we do seem to agree with each other a lot on an instinctive level and it's much easier to communicate with each other than it is for us to communicate with others.

I've found this to be true in all walks of life, not just neurodivergent circles. Some people just naturally click with each other. When you get out and socialise amongst real people in real world situations instead of living online you'll find this level of understanding with many people. The more people you meet the more people you'll find that click with you.

Then there's others that I struggle to communicate with on the same levels. Different cultural backgrounds, different levels of education, different world concepts, etc can all contribute to difficulties in how well we get along with each other.

Because of your outstanding intelligence, it was easier for you to fit into society and engage in conversations. However, there are other autistics who are not geniuses.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

In general, autistic people do not have much internal dialogue.I read an autistic article about how he thinks, and this explains some of the difficulties they face. Some autistic people claim that it is difficult for them to express their thoughts, even with a high level of IQ

Interesting, I have read and viewed several sources which suggest that the "internal monologue" is very much an autistic trait. Mine is talking to me almost constantly...sometimes about 2 or 3 different topics. My mind is a storm.

One source...I cannot recall to give credit...but he summarized it well when he said (paraphrasing), "Most neurotypicals use speaking as a social tool. The topic doesn't matter. Often frivolous, but none-the-less effective at creating social bonds. Whereas, most autistics may be non-verbal most of the time and only speak when information is to be shared. Speaking is not used as a social bonding tool."

The story of my life.
1. I either know the topic very well...and can lecture for hours on the topic...aka monologuing, without a clue as to whether or not my students retained any of the information.
2. Monologuing on a topic and knowing the other person is either not interested nor is understanding...their eyes glazing over and them trying to leave.
3. Emotions clouding my brain and then not able to speak in full sentences nor with any sense of logic...the worst.
4. One-on-one reciprocal conversation skills are poor, at best...add a 3rd or 4th person and I simply become non-verbal. I can't keep up and don't know that split second to jump in and out of the conversation...very clumsy, awkward, and embarrassing.

 

[Judge]

• There may be an overlap — I find this in my own case — but originality and creativity seem to be dominant traits in NDs. Their ability to generate ideas that break away from the predictable patterns of conventional thinking is often their greatest strength. While NT thinking can be highly efficient within established frameworks, ND thinking can step completely outside those frameworks, connecting elements in ways most people wouldn’t even consider.

I'm inclined to agree that there is always a potential of a "crossover" regarding traits and behaviors of both ND and NT persons.

That what may ultimately distinguish considerable distinctions between the two neurological profiles may come down to quantitatively how many of such traits and behaviors reflect one kind of cognitive processing over the other.