Now, the word normal does my nut in if I am completely honest. Not because I find it offensive or don’t like the way it sounds, nothing like that. I don’t like it due to the fact that you can’t define it. My normal is most definitely not your normal. Just as much as your normal is definitely not the normal of your next door neighbour. Therefore, when we use the word, what does it actually mean? The oxford dictionary defines the word normal as ‘conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.’ I completely understand that in days-gone-by, it was far different and everyone acted and conformed in a certain manner. However, now with the amount of emphasis on being your own person, how can we still call people ‘normal’? In our society there is a supposed ‘normal’ way of acting, for example things such as table manners and social etiquette. These things are ‘acceptable’ which I completely get and agree with. It’s when we describe neurodiverse people that I don’t think the term ‘normal behaviour’ should ever be used.

This term is used completely differently when it comes to neurotypical and neurodiverse people. Someone might describe their mate as ‘not normal’ because he’s being a donut which is understandable. What doesn’t work for me is when describing a ‘neurodiverse individual as not normal!