Neurodiversity Affirming Language

The language we use to describe and talk about disability can impact people's attitudes, beliefs, and views regarding disability. 

The rates of suicide among autistic people, those with bipolar, people who may hear voices or experience plurality is much higher than the non-disabled population - ranging between 4 and 20 times the population average (varying from country-to-country). This is in part due to the psychological distress caused by social attitudes and beliefs towards and about disability. 

These attitudes and beliefs can lead to a disabled person feeling shame. These can become internalised, the person telling themselves that they are less worthy or less valued. These ideas are reinforced by the language and biases we have employed surrounding disability - words, models, practices, policies, research and systems that emphasise deficits. 

To highlight this point, let's explore a fictional autistic centred society. Based on research, if you are non-autistic, you likely have deficits in perceptual reasoning and awareness of sensory input in your cognitive profile compared to autistic cognition. You may have relatively limited awareness of details or be unable to focus on a topic at an in-depth level. You may struggle to communicate with clarity or directness with autistic people. You may be more likely to hold implicit biases and jump to conclusions with limited understanding. You may have reduced affective empathy compared to the autistic population. 

Uncomfortable, isn't it? 

Neurodiversity affirming language is about reclaiming identity and challenging bias, assumptions, and stereotypes that impact disabled people. It's not about minimising the substantial challenges of living with a disability. A positive identity and sense of belonging is associated with increased psychological wellbeing among autistic people and other lived experience and marginalised groups.  

Changing our language helps to educate others and destigmatise disability.

If you want to take part in reducing stigma and raise awareness, the following terms are currently preferred by lived experience communities or self-advocacy groups or are the most frequently employed.  

It's an evolving space and preferences change from person-to-person, so we know it's best to check with the individual first.