ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder)
You’ll probably see “ASD” on official forms, diagnostic reports, or medical websites. It stands for Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and while it’s still used in clinical settings, many of us in the autistic community have moved away from it in our daily language.
Why? Well, the word “disorder” rubs a lot of people the wrong way. It suggests something’s broken or needs fixing, when really, we’re just people whose brains work differently. And honestly, different doesn’t mean lesser.
The language around autism is evolving, and many of us prefer terms that feel more respectful and accurate:
- Autism — Simple and to the point
- Autistic Spectrum — Keeps the spectrum part without the medical baggage
- Being Autistic — Centers identity rather than pathology
- Neurodivergent — A broader term that celebrates brain differences
Look, if you’ve got paperwork that says “ASD,” that’s fine — you don’t need to correct your doctor. But in conversations, many autistic people appreciate when others use language that doesn’t make us sound like we’re broken.
The shift toward neurodiversity-affirming language isn’t just about being politically correct. It’s about recognising that autism is a natural variation in how human brains can work. We’re not mistakes to be fixed — we’re people who experience and process the world in our own valid ways.