Neurodiversity-affirmative Language
Language matters! One of the easiest ways to start moving towards neurodiversity-affirmation is replacing pathologizing language with language that is neurodiversity-affirmative. This list is a great place to start!
- ASD
- Autism
- Person with Autism or ADHD
- Autistic or ADHDer
- Symptoms or deficits
- Traits or characteristics
- Suffers from Autism or ADHD
- Is Autistic or ADHD
- Autism is an epidemic
- Autism is a valid neurotype that has always existed
- Severely or mildly Autistic
- Autistic
- High-functioning / low-functioning
- Specific support needs (which may fluctuate)
- Poor social skills
- Autistic social skills
- Non-verbal
- Non-speaking
- Selective mutism
- Situational mutism
- Co-morbid
- Co-occurring
- Asperger's
- Autism
- Everyone is a little bit Autistic
- Autistic people are Autistic
- There is one right way to be human
- There are many ways to be human
Neurodivergent vs Neurodiverse
The word “neurodiverse” is often misused and its misuse is one of the biggest flags for “neurodiversity-lite” – using the language of the Neurodiversity Movement without actually investing in the personal work that it takes to become truly neurodiversity-affirmative.
Neurodivergent
This refers to an individual who is not neurotypical (e.g., Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, dyslexic, etc.). It can also refer to a group of all not-neurotypical people.
Correct terminology:
- I am neurodivergent.
- My family is neurodiverse.
- I specialize in working with neurodivergent people.
- I work with all neurotypes using the lens of the Neurodiversity Paradigm.
Neurodiverse
This refers to a group of people with a mix of neurotypes which may include neurotypical (e.g., a group of three people that includes one neurotypical person, one Autistic, and one ADHDer).
Incorrect terminology:
- I am neurodiverse.
- She is a neurodiverse woman.
- I specialize in neurodiverse individuals. (This is like saying "I specialize in humans.")
- I specialize in neurodiversity. (This means you specialize in humans.)
