10 Autistic Phrases Explained: The Meaning of Words Like Allistic and Neurodivergent
đź“Ł New for employers - Learn how to hire and keep autistic employees
By: Vanessa Blanchard
Are you new to the autism community? Maybe your child has been diagnosed, or you’re finding out about yourself as an adult. You’re curious to learn more, but now there are all these new terms floating about. Like, what does it mean to be allistic?
What’s the difference between neurodivergence and neurodiversity? What does NT and ND stand for?
Well fret not! You’ve stumbled upon a wonderful resource. Here you’ll find the definitions of 10 of the most common terms used in the autistic community and how they relate to key issues faced by autistic people.
1) Allistic -
Allistic simply means a non autistic person.
2) Neurotypical -
Someone who is not neurodivergent, often called an NT for short.
Sometimes autistic people will use terms like “allistic” and “NT” in derogatory ways. Most autistic folks have extensive experience with misunderstandings and social traumas after navigating an NT world.
If you’re an allistic looking to be an ally, make sure to listen to the voices of actually autistic people, even if it makes you uncomfortable.
Especially if it makes you uncomfortable.
For example, most autistic people will tell you to avoid Autism Speaks because it is a hate group. Many parents or support folk find that uncomfortable because Autism Speaks is such a prominent organization.
3) Neurodivergent -
Someone who is neurodivergent has some sort of variation to their neurology or overall brain structure. This is an umbrella term that can apply to a range of issues including:
Autism (see best jobs for autistic adults)
ADHD (see best jobs for people with ADHD)
PTSD
Alzheimers or dementia
Epilepsy
Tourette's syndrome
Traumatic brain injuries (or TBIs)
Blindness
Deafness
Etc.
ND is short for Neurodivergent.
4) Neurodiverse -
Often used interchangeably with “neurodivergent” this term technically applies to all people, including allistics. Neurodiversity is a collection of diverse neurotypes, including the “norm,” whereas neurodivergent specifically refers to the ways a brain could diverge from what is decided as normal function.
5) Autism -
Autism is a developmental disorder that impacts the nervous system. It is often referred to as a spectrum disorder because it’s complex and presents itself in many different ways.
Common ways include impaired or delayed motor, speech, and occupational skills as well as struggles in developing social and emotional regulation skills.
Most importantly, while this is a chronic condition, it is not a disease and cannot be cured.
There are many other conditions that can co-occur with autism, like:
ADHD
Ehler-Danlos Syndrome
PTSD
Epilepsy
OCD
and addiction
Autism is not an intellectual disorder, although they can co-occur.
6) Asperger Syndrome-
An outdated term often used to identify a less severe, or more high functioning, version of autism. This term is still used in some diagnostic circles.
Within the autistic community, it is a highly divisive and controversial term. Hans Asperger, whose work helped bring autism as a condition to public awareness, was also known to have ties with Nazis guilty of experimenting on and killing disabled children during WWII.
The autistic history contains inhumane violence, murder, and the threat of eugenics, all in the name of curing children, so many advocate that the term Aspergers should be abolished in all medical and social arenas.
7) Person-first language vs Identity-first language -
Person-first language emphasizes that the diagnosis doesn’t define the person, the person has the diagnosis (a person with autism).
Identity-first language emphasizes the idea that the condition is inseparable from the person (autistic person, disabled person, blind person).
The vast majority of the autistic community has agreed that they view autism as inseparable from who they are. We prefer identity-first language in regards to autism.
We leave room for members of our community to express person-first language, but ask that allistic allies respect the majority and use identity-first phrasing.
This is because of a long history of erasure of the autistic identity under the disease model. Our cultural understanding of autism stems from autistic distress rather than acceptance and support.
8) Functioning Labels -
There is a tendency to split autistic folks into two categories: high and low functioning (defined below). There is no credible diagnostic use for these terms, but they help start discussions about ableism and stigmas surrounding public awareness of autism.
Low Functioning- On its face, the term “low functioning” seems to refer to autistic folks who have higher support needs than their peers. However, this term is largely applied to people who are non-speaking, and is also conflated with intellectual disabilities.
While intellectual disabilities can occur, it is best not to assume that a non-speaking or cognitively impaired person doesn’t think, understand, or have something to say.
High Functioning - This term is usually given to autistics who can speak and appear to have lower support needs.
These assumptions erase the support needs of autistic individuals across the board.
9) Late diagnosed/self diagnosed -
It’s very common for people to live well into adulthood before they learn they are autistic. Often, people will seek a diagnosis later in life to have answers, but getting a diagnosis has many barriers.
So, the autism community welcomes people who have self-diagnosed as autistic, but don’t have the resources or support to seek a formal diagnosis.
Some within the community argue that self-diagnosis isn’t valid. They aren’t the majority and they aren’t correct.
10) Applied Behavioral Analysis -
Called ABA for short, this is the predominant form of “therapy” for autistic children that is pushed by many professionals/institutions that use the disease model of thinking for autism.
Autistic folks don’t agree with the disease model of thinking for autism.
Autistic children and adults who have endured this “therapy” report that it is a very abusive and ineffective way of dealing with autistic struggles. Research suggests that exposure to ABA results in increased rates of PTSD.
Is Autism a Disability?
Yes and no.
Autism can be disabling in many ways, and this will be different for everyone. Autism is lifelong, and that includes the disabling parts.
However, proper social and systemic support can help ensure that we have better quality of life and more independence and stability as adults. Many of us will not be able to work traditionally, but most of us are eager to contribute to the world in some meaningful way, maybe through art or philosophy, invention or academia. We have a lot of entrepreneurs in our midst.
We’re a diverse and capable crew when we’re allowed to be authentic and included.
Is Autism Curable?
No. It is our brains, how they’re built and wired. There are many ways to address specific struggles. A few examples include:
Alternative speech tools
Patient practice with motor or life skill development.
Therapy to help with emotional dysregulation and support animals to help with meltdowns or co-occurring needs.
Autistic-friendly team building exercises, like gaming or interest clubs, are super useful in social development.
Support with job training and advocacy during employment would increase autonomy in adulthood.
The autistic community prefers an approach that assumes capability and an environment that allows us to be there as our authentic selves. Allistics who mean to be allies can help us by elevating our voices and helping us build systems of support up around our community.