Wait, what’s that word mean?

There’s a lot of terminology surrounding the disability community in general and the Autism community as a whole. We have all had those moments of, “what does this word even mean?” I have been there, often. Language grows and evolves as we do. Here is a short glossary of some terms that I used within the book and some that are used often within this community.

Allistic: this simply means someone who is not Autistic. They could still be Neurodivergent in some way, but not have a diagnosis of Autism.

Autistic: someone who has a diagnosis of Autism and finds it preferable to refer to themselves as such because they believe Autism is an integral part of who they are.

Neurodivergent: someone whose brain diverges from what is considered the “norm.” This is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of diagnoses from Autism to ADHD to Dyslexia and more.

Neurodiverse: a group of Neurodivergent individuals.

*Person-first identity: this is an identifier of someone who is disabled and of the belief that while they have this diagnosis, it doesn’t tell a complete story and that they are more than their diagnosis.

*Identity-first: this is an identifier of someone who is disabled and of the belief that their disability is so ingrained within them, influencing all of who they are, that they cannot separate their disability from their person. They are not more than their disability. Their disability just is and they just are.

AAC: stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. According to many organizations, this would refer to all communication outside of speech. There is, however, some debate as to whether signing should be considered a form of AAC being as it is it’s own language itself. And there are many different languages of signing that are specific to culture. I won’t get into the specifics of this debate, just letting you know that it is out there and to refer to member of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community to learn more, they are the experts of their own existence.

*Nonspeaking: this is one way to refer to someone who does not form words from their mouth to communicate. This way of identification has become more popular in the last several years because it differentiates between nonverbal in a way that makes this way of living more specific to the people that live these lives. Nonverbal communication is something that every human is capable of doing and does so all the time. To be Nonspeaking is an experience that differs greatly from someone who can speak but also communicates nonverbally.

*these terms are starred because they represent identifiers. they are unique and individual to that specific person. I would advise you don’t refer to anyone as something they do not want to be referred to as. There are many people with Autism diagnoses that prefer “with Autism” to “Autistic". There are many who do not speak that favor “Nonverbal”. Their feelings are valid and should be respected at all times. I am Autistic and I also have Autism. I reserve the right to weave in and out of what I feel is best for me at the time. Others should be afforded the same autonomy to do so themselves.