What Does “Neuroqueer” Mean ?
The word neuroqueer is still quite new, but it’s becoming an important way for many young people to describe who they are. It brings together two ideas: neurodivergence (ways of thinking and experiencing the world that are different from the “norm,” like being autistic, ADHD, or dyslexic) and queerness (identities and experiences outside of traditional gender and sexuality expectations).
For some young people, being neuroqueer isn’t about adding another label. It’s about finding language that feels expansive and authentic—language that holds both their neurodivergent and queer selves without forcing them to choose between them.
Why It Matters
Visibility: Neuroqueer reminds young people they aren’t alone. Many feel relief when they discover others who also live at this intersection.
Affirmation: It validates that their brain and their identity are not “problems” to fix, but parts of who they are.
Community: The word offers belonging in spaces that may not always understand neurodivergence or queerness on their own.
Everyday Impact
For a neuroqueer teen, the word might mean:
Feeling safe to stim in queer spaces without fear of judgment.
Knowing that gender identity might shift in ways connected to sensory experiences or autistic identity.
Building friendships with others who “get it” because they live with both queerness and neurodivergence.
Neuroqueer can also influence creativity, self-expression, and activism—encouraging young people to bend or break rules society set for them about how to think, love, and exist.
A Word Still Growing
Like all language, “neuroqueer” continues to evolve. Some young people embrace it proudly, while others prefer different words or none at all. What matters most is choice—letting young people decide what language feels right for them, without pressure.
Takeaway: Neuroqueer is more than a label—it’s a way of honouring the overlap of neurodivergence and queerness, and a reminder that young people deserve the freedom to exist as their whole selves.