Below are some explanations of terms I use across my website for those unfamiliar with the Autistic community and the neurodiversity paradigm.
Autistic: Identity first language will be used by me rather than “person with autism” as being Autistic is a core part of my identity and life experience. I mainly capitalise “A” in “Autistic” to recognise our identity and culture, much like Deaf culture capitalise their first letter.
Note: Whatever language an Autistic person prefers to use (identity-first or person-first) is completely valid.
Neurotypical: The way of being which neurodivergent people diverge from. Neurotypical ways of being make up the neuromajority of the world. Another term for this is the Predominant Neurotype (PNT).
Neurodivergent: This includes those who are Autistic, ADHD, Dyslexic, Dyspraxic. Anyone who diverges from dominant societal expectations or neurotypicality. There is also acquired neurodivergence such as trauma, OCD, psychosis, as well as cultivated neurodivergence from experimenting with drugs or practicing deep meditation.
Neurodiversity: The diversity of human body-minds. There is no one way of thinking or experiencing the world.
The Neurodiversity Paradigm: Acknowledges how there is no such thing as “normal”. Embraces and values different minds and ways of being. This is a crucial shift from pathologising Autistic and otherwise Neurodivergent people.
The Neurodiversity Movement: This is a social movement which aims to ensure the rights of all Neurodivergent are respected and upheld. Thus, it focuses on creating a society that is inclusive of all different kinds of minds.
Neuronormativity: The standard of “normal” that society seeks. It is a social construct which does not exist, much like how heteronormativity only focuses on straight and cisgender people.
Ableism: When able bodied people devalue disabled people. Autistic people experience ableism as we are disabled. Often we are disabled by society and sometimes disabled by our inherent experiences, such as our sensory needs. We can also develop ‘internalised ableism” which is a form of self-stigma as a result of absorbing society’s ableist messages which may cause someone to dismiss or deny their own needs.
Non-speaking: I address Autistic people who do not use mouth words as non-speaking over “non-verbal” as non-verbal means without words. Usually, non-speakers have words but need to express these in ways other than mouth words. Non-speaking is also the preferred term by members of that community.
Support Needs: This is a term I use rather than ‘functioning’ labels as there is no such thing as ‘high or low functioning’. Our needs as Autistic people fluctuate constantly. No one is less or more Autistic and we all can require some levels of support. Those who need more support than others still deserve respect and to not be shamed for this. Autistic needs are not ‘special’ or ‘additional’, they are human needs.
Neurokin: This refers to people who share the same neurotype as us (e.g., Autistic, PDA, ADHD, Dyslexic). It is often used within Neurodivergent communities where we meet people we feel understood by.
Stimming: Any action which provides stimulation. Examples could be playing with hair, tapping, shaking, rocking, flapping, visuals, as well as vocal stims such as sounds or words. Internal stims can occur too, such as replaying songs or phrases in our heads. These are responses to our environment and they serve many purposes.
Autistic Culture: The culture which binds Autistic people together. We have our own ways of communicating, sensory experiences, in addition to shared histories and traumas as a neurominority group.
References to Neurodiversity language and terms:
Nick Walker – https://neuroqueer.com/neurodiversity-terms-and-definitions/
Autistically Scott 