Disorder (as a Clinical Term)

The word “disorder” often appears in medical and diagnostic terms — like Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

In clinical settings, disorder is used as a way to group patterns of experience — helping professionals understand, diagnose, and support people using shared language.

But in everyday life, the word can land differently.

For many neurodivergent people, “disorder” can feel stigmatising — as if something is wrong, broken, or needs fixing. That’s not how most people see their own brains or experiences.

Instead, people might prefer terms like:

• Autism rather than ASD
• Dyspraxia rather than DCD
• Simply ADHD (without spelling it out)

This doesn’t mean rejecting medical support or diagnosis — just choosing language that feels more respectful and aligned with identity.

It’s okay to use medical terms when needed. But it’s also okay — and often empowering — to describe yourself in ways that centre strength, understanding, and lived experience over labels.