Reflecting: What Are We Really Saying When We Say "Neurodivergent"?
Thinker statue with sun setting behind I’ve lately started reacting with a slight twinge when I read or say the word neurodivergent . I know that language must evolve. Working and living in the disability advocacy space, there are a lot of acronyms and terms to know. It can be challenging to stay up to date with the new terms that pop up. Lately the word "neurodivergent" seems to have become pervasive in its use. I’ve read and heard this term a lot more and it seems to be used as an umbrella term for autism, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, and more. For many, it seems to offer a way to describe neurological differences without relying on traditional language that can be more medical terminology… If someone prefers using the word for themselves, that choice deserves respect. I’m only wondering what happens culturally when we lean so much on new vocabulary. When neurodivergent gets used as a substitute for a word like disability (or other terms), I ...