09/24/2025
Alright folks, unhinged theory time!!
(Yes, this means I Bee am proposing a 100% untested theory, a conclusion to absolutely be disproved that has no scientific data behind it because I not have a degree, resources, or a team behind me to prove it. Regardless, the information is being put out into the world for your consideration because 1) critical thinking exercises are important and 2) someone reading this may have those requirements and decide this is a worthy angle to pursue).
The theory: "Neurotypical is a misnomer, and in fact that there are far less neurotypicals out there than we realize; furthermore, it is incredibly likely they are in the minority, not the majority."
The Data: Neurodivergences that have been labeled at this time as per the DSM-5.
15% Dyslexia
12% Dysgraphia
5% Dyscalculia
1% Auditory Processing Disorder
3% Visual Processing Disorder
10% Sensory Processing Disorder
7% Dyspraxia
1% Tourette Syndrome
1% Autistic
6% ADHD
10% Oppositional Defiant Disorder
2% Synesthesia
0.01% Down Syndrome
3% OCD
2% Bipolar
2% BPD
3% CPTSD
1% Schizophrenia
1% Dissociative Identity Disorder
3% Antisocial Personality Disorder
5% Narcissistic Personality Disorder
These numbers have been taken from global averages and the median score selected for the ones given as a percentage range - the reality is that the actual numbers are generally higher than this and depending on the region of the world may be as much as doubled. While this neurodivergent list is extensive it is not exhaustive and therefore some numbers may be missed!
Some further things to keep in mind with this data:
1) This is based on officially diagnosed and reported numbers; for a wide variety of factors each of these neurodivergent types will have significantly more unreported people.
2) While the numbers may be different due to misdiagnosing, in reality almost none of these neurodivergents will be misdiagnosed as neurodivergent instead of neurotypical, thereby skewing the individual numbers but not the argument of neurodivergent versus neurotypical numbers.
3) There absolutely will be some overlap between multiple neurotypes which will affect the argument of neurodivergent versus neurotypical and make it harder to prove my theory.
4) Neurodivergent numbers are continuously increasing due to acquired neurodivergence such as brain trauma - and something else to bear in mind is that all of the numbers listed above is EXCLUDING neurodivergent trauma responses which actually ALL neurotypes experience in one way or another (example: depression and anxiety).
So all this to say....
You're gonna tell me that 96% of neurodivergent behaviors have such a degree of overlap that they only make the suspected 25% of all neurodivergent folk? Nobody else finds this incredibly sus?
The "neurotypical" neurotype should not be called "neurotypical" because there are more of them than neurodivergents.
This is flawed logic implemented by researchers from the last hundred years that is increasingly disproven with each day that passes.
Neurotypical could perhaps be called that because when you look at all the different spectrums of neurodiversity out there, neurotypical is the only one that can fall on a singular spectrum; the others can all fall on at least two neurodivergent spectrums.
To say it is a misnomer is beyond an understatement.
Except as it turns out, there are most likely NOT as many neurotypicals as we think there are.
15% Dyslexia
12% Dysgraphia
5% Dyscalculia
1% Auditory Processing Disorder
3% Visual Processing Disorder
10% Sensory Processing Disorder
7% Dyspraxia
1% Tourette Syndrome
1% Autistic
6% ADHD
10% Oppositional Defiant Disorder
2% Synesthesia
0.01% Down Syndrome
3% OCD
2% Bipolar
2% BPD
3% CPTSD
1% Schizophrenia
1% Dissociative Identity Disorder
3% Antisocial Personality Disorder
5% Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Don't forget to include ALL neurodivergent folks! (These numbers have been averaged on a global scale and taken as a lower median - the reality is that the actual numbers are generally higher than this and depending on the region of the world may be as much as doubled. Many neurodivergent types may not be listed in this data, further emphasizing how limited even this list is.)
And some things to keep in mind with this data:
1) This is based on officially diagnosed and reported numbers; for a wide variety of factors each of these neurodivergent types will have significantly more unreported people.
2) While the numbers may be different due to misdiagnosing, in reality none of these neurodivergents will be misdiagnosed as neurodivergent instead of neurotypical.
3) There absolutely will be some overlap between multiple neurotypes.
4) Neurodivergent numbers are continuously increasing due to acquired neurodivergence such as brain trauma - and something else to bear in mind is that all of the numbers listed above is EXCLUDING neurodivergent trauma responses which actually ALL neurotypes experience in one way or another (example: depression and anxiety).
So you're gonna tell me that 93% of neurodivergent behaviors have such a degree of overlap that they only make the suspected 25% of all neurodivergent folk?
Please.
Neurotypical is not called - read SHOULD not be called - "neurotypical" because there are more of them. This is flawed logic that is increasingly disproven every day that passes.
Replacement Theory:
Neurotypical could perhaps be called so because when you look at all the different spectrums of neurodiversity out there, "neurotypical" is the only one that can fall on a singular spectrum; the others can arguably fall on at least two different neurodivergent spectrums.
Now here's the important question:
WHY DOES THIS MATTER???
Because for too long we've lived in an ableist society that demands neurodivergents fit in, that accommodations and supports are provided for the purpose of survival and financial contribution more than they are provided to care for the quality of human life.
Changing the understanding of society to "most of us have needs that require being met" will allow for healthier supports to be put into place as society shifts towards the understanding that our quality of life should be a higher priority than our ability to produce.
