Language Guide: Easy Read

People take in information in different ways.

This page says the same things as our full Language Guide.

The sentences are shorter.

The rules are the same on both pages.

You can read the full guide here: Language Guide.

Every human mind works in its own way.

Neurodivergent means a mind that works differently from what most people expect.

Some people are born neurodivergent.

Some people become neurodivergent later in life.

For example, this can happen after a brain injury.

A listing is your page on this directory.

Clients read your listing when they are looking for help.

This guide is about the words on your listing.

Neurodivergent people have the right to choose their own words.

The words in this guide come from neurodivergent people.

We listen to each group.

We use the words that group asks for.

Words can change how people treat each other.

Respectful words can help a client feel safe with you.

Your listing should show how you really work.

Many hard times come from the world around us.

They do not come from the person.

For example: noisy rooms, confusing forms, and rules that cannot change.

People made the world this way.

People can make it better.

Some hard times come from inside the body and mind.

For example: pain, illness, grief, or senses that feel too much.

People deserve support with all of these.

ADHDer means a person with ADHD.

AuDHD means a person who is Autistic and has ADHD.

Most Autistic people say: call me Autistic.

Studies in the UK, the US, and other countries show this.

So we write “Autistic person,” not “person with autism.”

We write Autistic with a capital A.

The capital A shows identity and culture.

Many Deaf people write “Deaf” in the same way.

On your own listing, you can use a small a if you want.

These words do not show the whole person.

“High functioning” can hide the support a person needs.

“Low functioning” can hide a person’s strengths.

“Mild,” “severe” and “profound” do the same.

We do not use any of these words.

Instead, say what you do.

For example: “I support Autistic adults with burnout.”

Hans Asperger was a doctor in Vienna when the Nazis were in power.

Research shows his work helped a Nazi programme.

That programme harmed and killed disabled children.

The doctors judged children by whether they thought the children could work.

A person matters because they are a person.

It does not depend on how much they can work or do.

His name is linked to that history.

So we do not use it on listings.

We say “Autistic” instead.

Some people were told they had “Asperger’s” long ago.

The word may feel important to them.

If a client uses it about themselves, be gentle.

There is no shame in it.

When the time feels right, gently explain why we do not use this word any more.

One person is neurodivergent.

A group of people is neurodiverse.

So we write “a neurodivergent person.”

Use plain words.

Say what you really do.

For example: “ADHD coaching for planning and overwhelm.”

You can say you are neurodivergent if you want to.

You do not have to share anything private.

The words people use can change.

We keep learning.

If a word here feels wrong to you, please tell us.

Email us at support@neurodivergentpractitioners.org.