The word ‘neurodivergent’ is NOT a euphemism for Autism. To use ‘neurodivergent’ when you mean Autism, to me, is the opposite of neuroaffirming.
However, I keep things vague on my About Me page and using the word “Living and relating to neurodivergent* individuals…” not because I don’t want to say Autistic individuals … but because the people who I am referring to deserve their privacy, and Autism may or may not form part of their individual neurodivergent identity.
Neurodivergent is an umbrella term for lots of behaviours and internalised states and existences and ways of being. Neurodivergent includes Autistic, ADHD, as well as conditions such as the pentad super-syndrome (joint hypermobility, Mast Cell activation, dysautonomia, gastroinstestinal dysfunction, autoimmunity) and more. Neurodivergent is an identity.
I love the work of the @livedexperienceeducator, Sonny Jane Wise, who has some fabulous and non-exhaustive images of what neurodivergence means available on their instagram.
💛 neurodivergent refers to anyone who’s mind or functioning diverges from dominant societal norms, standards and expectations.
🧡 neurodivergent was coined by Kassiane Asasumasu, a biracial, multiply neurodivergent activist in the year 2000.
💚 neurodivergence can be innate or acquired, it doesn’t matter how you came to diverge, it just matters that you do diverge.
💙 neurodivergent includes mental health conditions and has since the year 2000.
💜 neurodivergent is not a medical or clinical term, it’s an identity, it’s a sociopolitical term.
