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Resources

Autism Language: How to talk about autism

Autism is a fundamental part of who an autistic person is, and therefore Autistic Flair champions positive language. Read Autistic Flair’s guide to autism language

Allistic

Person who is not autistic.

Aphantasia

Difficulty or inability visualising mental imagery.

Autism

Lifelong, wide-ranging neurodevelopmental difference that influences everything from how an autistic person expresses themselves and interact with others, to how they process information and make sense of the world.

Autism as a disability

Some autistic people identify as disabled. However, rather than autism disabling an individual, Autistic Flair stresses it is unaccommodating environments that disable autistic people. If we lived in an inclusive society, autistic people would face less barriers to education, employment, and independent living.

Autistic

Many within the autistic community prefer identity-first language (autistic person) rather than person-first language (person with autism). See identity-first / person-first for more information.

Autistic burnout

Burnout can be defined as a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion. Anyone can experience this, but autistic people are more likely to experience burnout as a result of chronic social pressures and sensory overload.

Asperger’s Syndrome

Asperger’s is no longer recognised as an official diagnosis after it was dropped from the DSM-5. Those who previously fit the profile for Asperger’s Syndrome are now categorised under the umbrella term, autistic.

Co-occuring conditions

Conditions autistic people are more likely to experience or live with – they are not caused by autism. These include, but are not limited to, depression, OCD, and anxiety.

Echolalia

Vocal repetition of noises, sounds and words to express emotion, self-regulate, communicate, or simply just for enjoyment. Autistic people may repeat lyrics from a song, phrases from books or TV, or words spoken to them by someone else.

Executive function

Autistic people can experience difficulty with certain cognitive processes, leading to difficulties managing time, setting and achieving goals, following direction, planning, processing information, and self-regulating emotions.

Functioning labels

The autism spectrum is not a linear line that runs from high- to low-functioning, or mild to severe. Using these labels can lead to harmful and inaccurate assumptions. For a better way of describing an autistic person’s strengths and challenges, see spiky profile.

Identity-first / person-first language

As autism is hard-wired in our brain chemistry and is therefore a fundamental part of who an autistic person is, some believe person-first language is unfitting as we can’t separate autism from our identities. Also, person-first language is often associated with illness and medical conditions, which autism is neither. With that said, we should respect each individuals’ preference on how they are identified.

Masking

Consciously or unconsciously suppressing autistic traits and adopting neurotypical behaviours to appear less autistic or non-autistic.

Meltdowns

Losing control of behaviour stemming from chronic social pressures, sensory overload, and an inability to express oneself. This is not a ‘bad’ behaviour; it is not a tantrum.

Non-speaking

Referred to some as non-verbal, non-speaking describes autistic individuals who do not communicate by spoken word. Instead, they may communicate through AAC devices, gestures, sign language, written language or pictures/flashcards.

Neurodivergent

Person whose neurotype differs from what is considered typical. Neurodivergent is an umbrella term for a range of neurological differences, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, etc.

Neurodiversity

Referring to the infinite range of differences in individual brain function that influences how we express ourselves, interact with others, and make sense of the world.

Neurodiverse

Describing the unique way each individual’s brain is wired.

Neurotypical

Person whose neurotype is typical of the majority within our society.

Samefood

Autistic people can find comfort in eating foods that are familiar and can get in the habit of eating the same foods repeatedly – sometimes even exclusively for days, weeks or months at a time.

Sensory differences

Autistic people’s senses can become over- or under-sensitive, or both, at any given time, which can present challenges in and out of the home. 

Shutdowns

A neurological response to an overwhelming situation, which can lead to an autistic person withdrawing, ‘switching off’ – or even temporarily losing speech.

Special interest

An interest or hobby autistic people develop a strong liking to, often dedicating many hours interacting or researching it. Special interests differ from person to person, can change over time or be lifelong, and can involve anything from art and music, to geography and numbers.

Spiky profile

Autistic people have what is sometimes referred to as a ‘spiky profile.’ Autistic people have varying traits, unique to each individual, which can create peaks and troughs in their skill profile. This can be a helpful way to describe an autistic person’s strengths and challenges.

Stimming

Stimming – or self-stimulatory behaviour – is repetitive physical movement to gain or reduce sensory input, self-regulate emotion, or simply for enjoyment. Stimming behaviours include arm flapping, humming, spinning and twirling, turning lights on and off, whistling, etc

Synaesthesia

Synaesthesia, the ability to blend senses, is not a specific autistic trait, but many autistic individuals experience sensations, such as seeing music, hearing colour, taste shapes, and so on.

How we can support you

Autistic Flair started as an online community and resource hub dedicated to improving autism understanding in our wider society. The organisation amplifies autistic voices so people can learn about autism from real experiences. 

The company has evolved and now offers services to individuals, families and businesses looking to improve autism understanding and create autism-friendly environments where autistic people can thrive – not just survive.

Championing positive language

Much of the autistic community see their autism as a fundamental part of who they are and are championing positive language.  Autistic Flair aims to provide a safe and inclusive space, where autistic people are celebrated and valued for who they are.

My services are open to autistic people of all ages, regardless of whether they have a formal autism diagnosis or not. We also provide support to loved ones who support autistic people.

Contact

To enquire about autism services, ask a question, or simply say hello, please fill out the below form or send an email to: katie@autisticflair.com

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