Here are some definitions that may be of use to explain language used throughout this site:
Autism Parent – A parent who has offspring that are on the Autism Spectrum.
Autistic Parent – A parent who has offspring that are on the Autism Spectrum, and ARE ALSO THEMSELVES on the Autism Spectrum.
Autistic – A person who identifies with being on the Autism Spectrum.
Autistic Culture – Yes, there is such a thing, and yes, it does exist. Just like any other culture in the world, Autistic people are developing our own unique way of being in this world, which contributes to us continuing to define ourselves in the way that we want it to be, not what society attempts to define us as. The word ‘Autistic’ belongs to the Autistic people of this world, and not to anyone else. Following on from this, our culture, and who we are, is to be respected, and is most certainly not going to be hijacked and lumped in with the ‘D’ word that is further down this page. Also see the definition below this one.
Autistic Spectrum – There is no such thing as an “Autistic Spectrum” – most likely this has been confused with Autism Spectrum.
Aspies – TBA
Autists – TBA
Disorder/Disordered – People who identify with the Autism Spectrum do not in general consider themselves disordered. Use of language like this is considered offensive in the Autistic community, and exacerbates issues like depression and anxiety.
Executive Function (EF) – Cynthia Kim provides a good introduction here.
“High-Functioning”
We strongly discourage use of this term – it is segregating (Othering), as well as minimising the very real impacts that Autism can have on our lives.
This leads to the situation where the invisible supports and accommodations that may be needed for some Autistic people to lead successful lives are not recognised.
“Low-Functioning”
We strongly discourage use of this term – it is segregating, and also minimises the strengths of the person being referred to.
We recommend reading Rebecca Burgess’ “Understanding the spectrum – a comic strip explanation“, and this article by Barry Prizant, as well as this article by Tom Iland.
Neuro-Diverse/Neuro-Diversity – Generally refers to a difference in physical ‘wiring’ of the brain to that of the majority of the population.
NOTE: “Different, not _less_ than”
Use Of Terminology – Words are powerful things. One of many reasons why people that are Autistic tend to have issues with their self-confidence, and self-esteem, and opinion of themselves compared to others in the world, is that the continual use of terminology that is not even neutral language, but _negative_ language (i.e. “Disordered” ; “High-Functioning” ; “Low-Functioning” etc) contributes to negative self-views and, surprise surprise, continual reinforcement of negative terminology is a part of what forms ”our life view”.
With that in mind, it is hardly surprising that depression and anxiety are reasonably prevalent in the Autistic population, which is why this point is brought up here – TERMINOLOGY NEEDS TO CHANGE – and it starts with YOU! 🙂
When you have met one Autistic person – you have met one Autistic person
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Sensory Difficulties – TBA
Supervisory Support and Care – TBA
Lived Experience – Experience gained by being the person who is, for e.g. Autistic; this term should not be used by people that do NOT have actual real-life lived experience, i.e. they have walked in their own shoes – merely being an observer of one’s behaviour, does not qualify someone to state they have lived experience.