Neurospicy Meaning: What It Means and Where it Came From

By: Dani Rodwell

In the colorful landscape of the neurodivergent community, there exists a multitude of intricate phrases and identities that help us describe who we are. Within this space, there are many different variations of the word “neurodivergent” －neurodistinct, neurowonderful, neurosparkly, neurospicy, neurodefiant, and many more. Like any community, different people have different preferences and these terms are warmly embraced by some and outwardly rejected by others. For example, some argue that repackaging the term “neurodivergent” is akin to repackaging the word “disability” as “differently abled,” which inadvertently implies that “disability” is a bad word that needs to be sugar coated or avoided. Others consider it a fun and creative way to express one’s differences and claim these identities proudly. 

Among these varieties, one phrase frequently emerges in these spaces – neurospicy. What is the meaning of neurospicy? It's a term that encapsulates the complexity and richness of our neurology. Let’s explore the meaning of neurospicy and unravel its origins. It’s actually largely seen as a way for the community to claim and reframe a harmful stereotype!
 

Neurospicy Meaning

Neurospicy is obviously not a term you'll find in traditional or medical settings. It’s a relatively new term and serves as a metaphorical construct that seeks to capture the vividness and intensity of our neurodivergent experiences and identities. Continuing with the metaphorical nature of the meaning of neurospicy, imagine your brain as a culinary concoction, where sensations, thoughts, and emotions blend together to create a symphony of flavors. Neurospicy represents the spicy, tangy, and savory aspects of the brain. Being neurospicy is about depth and complexity. In essence, neurospicy captures the extraordinary, intense, (and sometimes fierce!) aspects of neurodivergent personalities.
 

Where Did the Term Neurospicy Come From?

To understand the meaning of neurospicy fully, we must explore how it came to be. While it is unclear who officially originated or coined the term neurospicy, there is a vague origin that it can be traced to. 

First, we need to understand some context. Historically, autistic people have been labeled as high-functioning or low functioning. Similarly, the concepts of mild autism and severe autism were also used in the same way, perpetuating the incorrect idea that someone can be “more” or “less” autistic. While progress has been made in this area, largely due in part to the tireless efforts of autistic self-advocates who have been educating the public about why neurodiversity-affirming language matters, unfortunately functioning labels and severity labels are still used in non-affirming spaces and settings. Even the changes to the DSM recognize autism as a spectrum with differing support needs rather than a linear scale that ranges from more to less severe. This is because autistic individuals with lower support needs are invalidated and harmed when someone assumes their autism is “mild” as this does not accurately capture the very real differences and challenges they experience. It is also not fair to describe autistic individuals with higher support needs, as “low functioning” as this is disrespectful and fails to capture their many strengths and abilities. Furthermore, functioning labels and severity labels are often measured from a neurotypical perspective－ in other words, autistic people have often been labeled by how much they do or do not fit in with neurotypical expectations. For example, someone may be labeled to be “mildly” autistic if they “blend in” enough with neuronormative society. Perhaps they have a successful career, are highly-masking and their differences are not obvious or unacceptable by neurotypical standards. Someone may call their autism “mild” or erase their autistic identity altogether. This is incredibly invalidating, inaccurate, and frustrating. Unfortunately, despite some progress towards more affirming language and conceptualization of autism as a spectrum, it is quite common to still hear “mild autism” circulated in many settings, including online.
 

Neurospicy: Reclaiming and Reframing Stereotypes 

Understanding the existing stereotypes about “mild” autism, we can deduce where the term neurospicy comes in. In an act of resistance, the autistic community found a creative way to push back against these harmful and un-affirming stereotypes. Thinking in terms of food, spicy is the antonym of mild. Sometimes, people reclaim language that was originally meant as an insult, to actually begin using it as a celebration of their identity. For example, how members of the he LGBTQ+ community reclaimed the “queer,” originally used as a derogatory term, and reframed the identity into a positive connotation that they feel comfortable with. Although, other members of the LGBTQ+ community still find it offensive and choose not to use it. Communities are not homogenous and individuals have the right to the language and approach that feels best for them.

Similarly, while many people resonate with the neurospicy meaning and the statement that underlies it, others may choose to simply just use autistic and/or neurodivergent without using any varations at all. The best way to find out a person’s individual language preferences is to ask them and respect their wishes.
 

Embracing Neurodiversity: Neurospicy in Action

Neurospicy, like neurodiversity, is not just a term; it can be argued that it represents a larger mindset and a movement. It’s about embracing the complexity of neurodivergent experiences and advocating for acceptance and inclusion. When we embrace our neurodivergence in all of its intensity and flavor, as neurospicy individuals, we celebrate the strengths and talents of neurodivergent individuals, challenge stereotypes and stigma, and create spaces where people can feel free to express themselves in creative and innovative ways. Whether you resonate with the term neurospicy or not, or can identify with the neurospicy meaning, we can agree that the many different ways of expressing our identities are just as diverse as we are. 
 

We are Neurospicy

 

At NeuroSpark, we are a neurospicy group. We advocate intensely, laugh hard, and show up as our authentic selves. Neurospicy is a term that holds a special place in the hearts of many neurodivergent individuals. It’s a symbol of resilience, creativity, and pride. By reclaiming and reframing stereotypes, we empower ourselves and others to embrace our multifaceted identities and advocate for a more affirming world. So, whether you’re neurospicy, neurosparkly, or neurodivergent, remember that you are valuable, you are unique, and you deserve support. Reach out to us if you’d like to connect.