It might seem nit-picky when people talk about the importance of using ‘Neurodivergent’ and ‘Neurodiverse’ correctly. However, there is a social and political reason why it is important for us to get the distinction between these two words correct, especially for academics and neurodivergent (ND) organisations.
Neurodiversity – includes everyone, including neurotypical / neuromajoritives.
Neurodivergence – includes everyone outside of neurotypical. It is inclusive of ALL oppressed neurotypes. This includes acquired neurodivergence such as a stroke or brain injury and neurodivergence from birth such as autism or foetal alcohol syndrome.
Neurodivergent – was coined by Kassiane Asasumasu, who is Autistic and otherwise ND, this word includes ALL people who are not NT. Kassiane has said that the word should not be used as another way to marginalise and gatekeep people.
What does it say when organisations and researchers get these confused?
The word Neurodiversity is sometimes used to ignore ND support needs. This was not the intention of the persons who coined the term, however this is not the first time Disabled people’s words have been used against them (or any marginalised group for that matter).
Neurodiversity is used everywhere in neuro-normative run organisations and research. When people use the word neurodiverse instead of neurodivergent the meaning of what they are saying changes – it is the difference between an oppressed group and the oppressors.
Using the wrong word spreads misinformation which feeds into the disordered rhetoric of all neurodivergences.
I do think its important to shine a light on systems and individuals that use the words neurodiversity and neurodiverse to show fake concern, support and inclusion.
What about individual identities?
Some of us may see ourselves as ‘disordered’ and some of us want or need substantial support to live a life we want to live (I thank the God’s every day for my relative control over my OCD and cPTSD, for example). I’m not calling-out Disabled people for how they talk about themselves personally.
People getting it wrong online or in general is not the end of the world. Some years back I was getting all of this muddled too. As a public facing person I was doing a disservice to the disabled and ND people I work with and our community in general (and myself really).
Language is really important, it can be used to dehumanise and ostracise some groups and continue their oppression. The language we all use is important (especially the language used by ‘allies’, researchers and professionals).
We are not too blame for not being taken seriously, ignored and discredited as neurodivergent people, however we can’t control our own narrative using the words of our oppressors – and in the case of neurodiversity – a word which our oppressors have co-opted and some use against us.
For further info look into Kassiane Asasumatu, Nick Walker, Dora Raymaker, Remi Yeargeau… the people who coined these terms and continue to make ND lives easier and better.
Another brilliant read on this can be found here at the Radical Copy Editor.