Terminology

Words and terms used on this site

Autistic people/ People with autism?

I have chosen to use identity first language and use the term ‘autistic people’ on this website.

I am happy to be flexible and I will adapt my language to your preferred terminology.

What is Neurodiversity?

Judy Singer writes "Neurodiversity for me is the timeless and incontrovertible reality that every single living being is unique, and that no two human minds, (actually mind-body complexes), are the same.

The whole point of the word Neurodiversity is that no-one can disagree with it. It has no opposite in nature. If humans are not neurodiverse, then they can only be clones."

What is Neurodivergent?

I use the term 'neurodivergent' and 'neurodivergent person' as an umbrella term to mean autistic people, or a person who has ADHD, or any other neurodivergent condition.

What is Neurotypical?

I use the term neurotypical to mean a person who does not have a neurodivergent condition.

What is Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)?

Positive Behaviour Support is a person centred way of working with people. I work with you as the autistic person (or carer/ supporter) to identify specific goals you want to achieve and create positive ways of supporting you to work towards them.

There is nothing about this method of support that makes you do anything you do not want to do.

The British Institute Of Learning Disabilities states Positive Behaviour Support is about working in partnership with people, treating them with dignity and respect and enabling them have a better life.

All behaviours have a meaning. Positive Behaviour Support aims to understand what behaviours that challenge tell us so that the person’s needs can be met in better ways. The way the person is supported often has to change to achieve this.

Challenging Behaviour/ Behaviour that Challenges?

I have chosen to use the term 'behaviour issues' and 'behaviour challenges' to describe stress related behaviours as they are established and generic ways of describing the ways people can behave or the things that people may do when stressed.

I use this language here as it is likely to be easily understood by a wider community for the purposes of this website.