Glossary of Neurodivergent Therapy Lingo
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Disclaimer

This glossary is for educational and marketing purposes only. We hope this glossary can help you get to know us a little. We do our best to stay up to date with both research and lived-experiences in the worlds of neurodivergence and trauma, and other somatic stuff. We strive to stay up to date with the most respectful and honoring language and believe language is important, knowing we also have internalized ableism and privileges that keep us from seeing ourselves and others completely clearly. We continually strive nevertheless to understand the unique experience of the client we are sitting with and use your language, supporting your connecting with yourself, your life, and your world.

Identity-First Language vs Person-First Language

Identity-First language: An understanding that the person’s neurodivergence is part of their identity, not something that is separate from them. Examples of this language include “I’m autistic” or “I’m an ADHDer.”
Person-First Language: Language that describes what the person “has” versus what the person “is.” An example of this can be “She has autism”.

Digging Deeper

The Weight of the Language We Use with Neurodivergence

Both types of language mentioned above aim to provide safety and acknowledgement to individuals. Language is incredibly powerful and can change the way people view the world and each other, so deep understanding and intention is very important when choosing language to describe self and others.

Listen to Neurodivergent People’s Own Language

Simply put, it’s best to listen to neurodivergent people and the individual you are talking to/about! Many neurodivergent people agree that person-first language, while initially created as a way to honor and respect others, may actually be harmful because it frames their identity as if it is something that is inherently bad or something that “hopefully” will change.

Progress toward Neurodivergence Reclaimed As an Identity

For example saying “She has autism” may feel like “She suffers from autism” or feels similar to “She has cancer.” It gives the assumption that autism is an ailment and not inherently part of the person's identity. And most neurodivergent people feel that their neurodivergence is as much a part of their identity as is their eye color.

Not something that needs changed. Not something that is bad.