From a wonderful 2020 list written by Anne Belle in the Autism Inclusivity group on Facebook to help untangle things for the new or confused, and to keep the conversation positive and respectful. For the PDF please click the following link: https://m.facebook.com/groups/autisminclusivity/permalink/1598630064247503/

Miscellaneous Terms
● DD: Dirty Delete, where a post or comment is deleted because the poster/commenter did not like replies, destroying member’s labour in the process (a banning offence)
● Tone Policing: Tone policing attacks a person’s tone/emotion rather than address their input, seeking to destroy the validity of what they feel and how they express it - a putdown. ‘Speaking over’ an autistic is similar in that it devalues autistic voices
● Bump: A common comment that freshens-up where a post is featured, making a post rise to the top of the pile... literally ‘Bring Up My Post’ (a ‘backronym’) Ethnicity Terms
● BAME (UK): Black, Asian or minority ethnic - best to now name the minority/ies in full
● BiPOC (USA): Black and indigenous people - if you mean Black or Black-American, say that… if you mean indigenous, first peoples, say that
● FIVM (CAN): Francophone, Indigenous or Visible Minority
● GRT (EU mainly): Gypsy (for Romany people), Roma (more recent nomadic migrant peoples), or Traveller (travelling or nomadic Irish with Irish-roots)
● MELAA (NZ): Middle Eastern, Latin American or African
● POC: Person of Colour/Color

Identifying Labels or Categories of People
● AA: Actually Autistic. ONLY AUTISTICS MAY USE THIS. Diagnosed and Self-Discovery Autistics. Please refer to your child as ‘Autistic’, not as AA. It is a defining statement AA may make, and others may just read. It is only used to identify one’s neuro-status in mixed neurology company, not as an abbreviation for ‘Autistic’ elsewhere. #ActuallyAutistic is the hashtag, capitalised so to make sense with screen-readers.
● ACAB: looks similar but totally unrelated and means "All Cops Are Bast***s". Please don't get this mixed up with amab/afab
● AFAB: assigned (gender) female at birth AMAB: assigned (gender) male at birth
● Allistic: Not-autistic person. May or may not be ND. (For example: has ADHD only). The opposite of ‘autistic’ from the Greek 'allo', meaning other or 'over there'.
● Aspie: (functioning label, like others - strongly discouraged) someone with "Asperger's syndrome" which is an outdated label for autism named after a uniformed Nazi doctor
● A$: Autism Speak$ Autism Speak$ - a scam anti-autistic abuse group that takes 97% of monies intended for autistics and gives it to non-autistics.
● Âû: Autistic Union (Autistic/Pro-Autistic), a large Facebook grouping of mainly autistics & allies
● AuDHD: Acronym used by some to indicate Autistic+ADHD.
● Autie: Autistic person
● Autism Mom/Autism Parent/sibling/grandparent etc: a relative of an autistic individual who co-opts (wrongfully appropriates) an autistics diagnosis to be part of their own identity, often completely disregarding the autistic individual in the process. Use ‘Mom to an autistic’, etc., please
● Carer/Caregiver/Guardian: someone who helps an autistic/disabled person with daily tasks and ensures their safety and wellbeing
● dx: diagnosis or diagnosed
● Intersex: someone with biology that is neither strictly male nor female. amab/afab may not apply if being intersex was obvious at birth or if an arbitrary label was given
● Martyr Mom/Martyr Parent: Someone who uses their child's autism to complain and gather pity, often whilst making themselves appear saint-like
● NB/enby/NonBi/NBi: Non-binary, someone who does not define themselves by a strictly male or female gender identity. Often (but not always) someone who uses gender neutral pronouns like ‘they/them’. (Please: It’s best to reserve NB for ‘Non Black’ and to avoid ‘Enby’ as it is infantilising - Please USE “NBi” or ‘Non-Binary’.)
● ND: neurodivergent Neurodivergent: Having some significant, often but not always permanent, cognitive difference that impacts how someone communicates, thinks, behaves, is, etc. Examples: Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia, Hyper-empathy, Borderline Personality, Dystonia, Tourette syndrome, Bipolarity, etc.
● Neurodiverse: All humans are neurologically diverse, whether they realise that or not, knowledge of which is a gift slowly being endowed on humanity by neurodivergents to a large degree.
● NT: neurotypical, not autistic or neurodivergent
● OT: occupational therapy/therapist
● self-dx: ‘self-diagnosed’, ‘self-discovered’, or ‘self-identified’

Terms in the Autistic World:

● ABA: Applied Behavioural Analysis, the mainly North American go-to ‘therapy’ for autistic children that is actually very harmful and can lead to PTSD, anxiety disorders, dehumanisation. PBS, EIBI, ESDM, Electro-shocking program (JRC) and other nasty interventions that incorporate much ABA (operant conditioning/human programming/’breaking’/dehumanisation) are also rejected by autistics
● ASAN: Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (large autistic organisation)
● ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder, more commonly known (and preferred) as just Autism now, and sometimes rendered in NZ and UK as ASC, with ‘C’ meaning ‘Condition’
● AUK: Autistics United Kingdom (large autistic organisation)
● Autistic: What most of us autistics choose to call ourselves. It is an example, like ‘Poor’ or ‘Faithful’ of an Adjectival noun, an adjective becoming a noun (English-language autistic choice) and also an example of Word Reappropriation or reclamation, (again, by English language autistic choice)
● AW: Autistics Worldwide (large FB group)
● AWN: Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network (large autistic organisation) ● DD: Developmental Disability
● Disability: An experience that often arises from institutionalised and societal discrimination and failure to resource or allow full agency, including systemic barriers, derogatory attitudes, ignorance, entitlement and privilege of others, a lack of reciprocal empathy from the able (including ‘othering’), and many social exclusions. Autism IS a disability, just as it may also be a difference, an alternative way of being, an identity, a cachet of certain traits, and a less common distribution of strengths and sensitivities, etc. all at the very same time. (Disability is not a bad word!).
● Echolalia: repetition or quoting of words or phrases in situations where it is not expected by NTs. Also consider related terms: Lallolalia/Lalolalia, Palilalia, Coprolalia
● GAD: Generalised Anxiety Disorder - a DSM diagnosis either additional to Autism, used wilfully to avoid diagnosing Autism, but also sometimes a diagnosis for non-autistics with some of these: restlessness, edginess, easily fatigued, mind blanking, irritability, constant tension, sleep disturbances
● Functioning Label: any label other than autistic that is used to describe the "severity" of someone's autism. For example: Level 1, severe, low-functioning, Aspie. Functioning labels are strongly discouraged here. Best to say it long-hand, just what you mean.
● ID: Intellectual Disability
● LD: Learning Disability
● Masking/Camouflaging: suppressing natural autistic behaviour like stimming, and engaging in uncomfortable NT behaviour (like eye contact) in order to fit in and be treated with respect. Very emotionally and physically draining
● Nonspeaking/Not speaking: someone who doesn't speak with their mouth but may use other forms of communication such as Makaton, ASL, typing, other AAC
● Nonverbal: (use discouraged) someone who doesn't speak with their mouth, or more broadly, someone who "can't talk". Not preferred because of its binary connotations suggesting that ‘verbal/nonverbal’ are the sole possibilities, thereby ignoring augmented and assisted communication means. Use ‘non-’ or ‘not speaking’ or ‘not using mouth words’ to avoid this excluding pitfall please
● NVLD/NLD: Non-Verbal Learning Disorder/Disability
● OCD: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, repetitive thoughts leading to repetitive actions, requiring intervention if of a magnitude that an ordinary good life is interfered with
● PDA/ODD: Pathological Demand Avoidance and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, often (incorrectly) used interchangeably are two cognitive profiles that present as aggression towards or defiance of authority and rules. The difference is that PDA is a profile within autism, while ODD is an allistic behavioural profile that generally does not affect social ability with peers or have other autistic traits. PDA types can vary (and this is important) e.g. fright/fight/freeze/flight/fawn
● PDD: Pervasive Developmental Disability
● PDD-NOS: outdated label for Autistic people who presented atypically. Seldom-used and unhelpful
● SAD: Social Anxiety Disorder, a diagnosis too often used since the advent of the DSM 5 as a means of avoiding diagnosing autism. Also see Seasonal Affective Disorder below for second meaning of SAD acronym
● SCD/SC(P)D: Social Communication (Pragmatic) Disorder: Also too often a means of avoiding diagnosing autism
● Sensory tools: may include above but also tools to eliminate sensory input like earmuffs or sunglasses
● Social Model (of Disability): Many autistics believe disability to be a social construct rather than a medical fact, Something caused by society, as opposed to adhering to a pathological or medicalized model of what disability might be... i.e. something needing fixing, cure, exterminating, eugenics, medicating, to be pitied, a tragedy, an abnormality, our problem, defects, deficiencies, limitations, leaving us a burden, etc. The Social Model instead emphasises disability as a result of the interaction between people living with impairments in an environment (things/concepts) and ecology (people/groups) filled with physical, attitudinal, communication and social barriers that are not of our making.
● SPD: Sensory Processing Disorder, an unofficial, broad label assigned to people with sensory processing or behavioural differences. Often comorbid with autism but not always.
● Special Interest: Something an autistic person is extremely interested in and will often gather a lot of knowledge and/or paraphernalia related to. If you mean passion, hobby, pursuit, area of fascination, etc. - wisely use those words instead please
● Stim toys/tools/fidgets: items used to stim and self-soothe by sensory input
● Stim/Stimming: a self-soothing action such as rocking, hand flapping, humming, echolalia, chewing, etc
● TAC: The Autistic Cooperative, an international autistic advocate body which brings together those actively working towards better lives, good lives, for autistics, in conjunction with other disability activists, organisers, campaigners, and advocates

Related/Relatable General Health Terms:

● 2e: twice-exceptional, Someone who has both a disability (e.g. autism diagnosis) and a gifted designation. May also be called a ‘savant’ if extremely proficient at a particular skill, but many frown on that old term
● AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, so communication methods other than speech
● Ableism: discrimination against disabled people and/or the belief that able-bodied people are superior. Internalised ableism being the sad self-deprecating that even the disabled are able to have inside of them.
● ADHD: (formerly also called ADD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a cognitive profile that includes high energy and impulsivity. Though often thought of as a disorder that affects only young boys, it can affect anyone and is a lifelong brain difference.
● Aversion/Exposure ‘Therapy’: a form of conditioning or programming that seeks to wrongly reduce sensitivities and sensory strengths in many, including autistics, also referred to as a type of human loss called ‘desensitisation’
● BD: Bi-Polar Disorder (I or II)
● BPD: Borderline Personality Disorder
● Comorbid: Several conditions occurring ‘associatively’ in the same person. For example anxiety and PTSD/cPTSD, or autism and dyspraxia. ‘Co-occurring’ or ‘coexisting’ are often better, less pejorative-sounding, more ‘lay-acceptable’ terms in almost all cases
● cPTSD: See PTSD below
● CRPS: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome/Sympathetic Dystrophy
● CW/TW: content warning or trigger warning placed at the top of a Post, then stating what content or triggers may follow. Usually a series of lines will be added with just a ‘.’ period/full-stop on each line, to make the warned-about material invisible to those who chose to not click ‘see more’
● DMDD: Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
● DSM-5 (Mainly North America): The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition
● ED*/BED/AN/BN/ARFID: all different abbreviations for eating disorders. Note: if you mention one - please put a CW on your post.
● ED*: executive dysfunction, an informal term which describes day to-day challenges with planning, time management, organisation, and completing tasks. *Yes, there are three 'ED's. Use context, but ask if unsure
● ExD: A (proposed) less confusing acronym for Executive Dysfunction
● EDS: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A co-occurring condition featuring loose joints, joint pain, stretchy velvety skin, abnormal scar formation, hypermobility, and much more. There are multiple types
● Fibromyalgia: a serious disability characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues
● ICD-11: The (UN) World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision. North America uses the DSM-5 for classification, billing, etc, See above.
● IFL/PFL: Identity-first-language (eg autistic person, preferred by most autistic people) Person-first language (eg Person with autism, preferred by few)
● Makaton (aka ‘Key Word Sign’ in Australia): A multifaceted communication system that uses sign, symbols, and sounds
● ME/CFS: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
● OT: Occupational Therapist
● PMDD: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and
● PME: Premenstrual Exacerbation are co-occurring with ADHD for some girls/women
● PoTS: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (can co-occur with EDS, see above)
● PT: Physical Therapist
● Region-specific sign language like BSL/ASL/ISL/Auslan : comprehensive languages for communication via hand motions
● RLS: Restless Leg Syndrome
● RSD: Rejection sensitive dysphoria is powerful emotional sensitivity and pain triggered by the perception that a person has been rejected or criticised by important people in their life
● SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mood condition usually occurring at the same time each year, involving fatigue, depression, demotivation, hopelessness, or social withdrawal
● SLP/SLT: Speech and Language Pathologist, Speech and Language Therapist
● SPED: Special education or Special Educator
● Spoons: a metaphorical measure of mental and physical energy used by disabled to explain the impact of disability through graphic limitation of a scarce resource, in this case ‘spoons’
● PTSD: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a psychiatric condition occurring in some people who have experienced trauma. It causes feelings of stress, fear, and panic even in safe situations. PTSD risk is increased after undergoing ABA. cPTSD or ‘c’ for complex, is the type usually associated with autistics who have cumulatively experienced repeat or multiple traumas, i.e. not as easily explained as being shelled and shot-at in a war zone.

Governmental and Regional Terms:

● 1:1: A caregiver, in a school setting or not, who provides individual support for a disabled/autistic person in their everyday activities, especially to help avoid dangerous situations
● 504 Plan (USA): Written material that seeks to ensure a pupil receives educational access and accommodations under the law aimed at success in the school/college environment
● BIP (USA): Behaviour Intervention Plan (rejected by autistics)
● CDA (NZ): Child Disability Allowance
● DSP (AUS): Disability Support Pension
● IEP (US/CAN/NZ): Individual Education Plan (similar to EHCP)
● EHCP or EHP (UK): Education Health and Care Plan (similar to IEP)
● DLA (UK): Disability Living Allowance
● CA (UK/NZ): Carer's Allowance
● Co-taught or Push-In Teacher (US): Assists students with IEPs in learning material in the format they need
● GP (NZ/AUS): General Practitioner, a patients first-call doctor or Family Doctor
● IFS (NZ): Individualised Funding Service for people with a disability
● LA/EA/TA (CAN): learning/education/teaching assistant, an adult who gives additional support to an autistic child while they're in school
● LAC (AUS/NZ): Local Area Coordination of disability supports and services
● NASC (NZ): Needs Assessment/Service Coordination for disabled people
● NDIS (AUS): National Disability Insurance Scheme
● OT: Occupational Therapist
● ODSP [CAN]: Ontario Disability Support Program
● Para (US): a paraprofessional, usually in an educational setting
● PCP (US): Primary Care Physician
● PIP (UK): Personal Independence Payment
● RTLB (NZ): Resource Teacher : Learning and Behaviour
● SENCO (UK/NZ): Special Education Needs Coordinator
● SLP/SLT: Speech and Language Pathologist, Speech and Language Therapist
● SLP (NZ): Supported Living Payment
● SSDI (US): Social Security Disability Insurance
● SSI (US/CAN): Supplemental Security Income
● TA: Teacher’s Aide/Teacher’s Assistant
● TL;DR: means Too Long, Didn't Read 😉