Neuro-Affirming Language: Terms to avoid, and what to say instead
Language doesn’t just describe neurodivergence: it shapes how neurodivergent people are understood by others and by themselves. This post outlines principles for neuro-affirming language and includes neuro-affirming alternatives to common descriptions of neurodivergence, with practical examples you can use in conversation and in documentation.
Neurodivergent Burnout or Depression? Unpacking Similarities and Differences
Ever wonder if what you’re feeling is depression… or neurodivergent burnout? These two conditions can look strikingly similar: shutdown, reduced functioning, withdrawal, fatigue, cognitive fog… But the underlying mechanisms are different. This distinction matters clinically because interventions can differ, and misdiagnosis can lead to worsening symptoms.
How Neuro-Affirming Therapy Is Different In Practice
If therapy has ever felt like it was asking you to become someone else, neuro-affirming care offers a different path. It centers acceptance, accommodation, and context, without pathologizing your nervous system. This post breaks down what neuro-affirming therapy can look like in practice, and why that difference matters.