Divergent, Minority or Spicy? Neurodiversity Language Preference for Autistic, ADHD, Dyslexic, and Autistic+ADHD People

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Bury, S. M., Dwyer, P., Flower, R. L., Richardson, E. K., & Spoor, J. R. (2026). Divergent, Minority or Spicy? Neurodiversity Language Preference for Autistic, ADHD, Dyslexic, and Autistic+ADHD People. Neurodiversity, 4. https://doi.org/10.1177/27546330261430009

Publication date: 1 Mar 2026 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
5
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 5 (20.0%)
  1. Simon M. Bury
  2. Patrick Dwyer *
  3. Rebecca L. Flower
  4. Ellen K. Richardson
  5. Jennifer R. Spoor

Abstract

Language plays a central role in how neurodivergent individuals express identity and belonging. Although terminology such as neurodivergent and neurodiverse has become increasingly common, little empirical research has examined how these and related terms are perceived within and across neurodivergent communities. This exploratory study surveyed 740 adults with a diagnosis of autism ( n = 189), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ( n = 190), dyslexia ( n = 179), or co-occurring autism and ADHD ( n = 182) from the United Kingdom and United States to assess preferences, offensiveness, acceptability, and self-use of six neurodiversity-related terms. Participants rated neurodivergent and neurodiverse as the most preferred, least offensive, and most acceptable, whereas neurominority and neurospicy were least endorsed. The overall order of preferences was largely consistent across diagnostic groups, gender identities, and countries, though group-level differences emerged for specific terms. Dyslexic participants rated neurodivergent and neurodiverse less positively than other groups, while the Autistic + ADHD group expressed the strongest endorsement of neurodivergent. Participants reported infrequent use of any of these labels to describe themselves, suggesting that while certain terms are broadly acceptable, they may not yet serve as primary identity markers. Overall, findings indicate strong agreement, with neurodivergent emerging as the most accepted term. Lay Abstract Language is important to how neurodivergent people express who they are and how they connect with others. Although words like neurodivergent and neurodiverse are now common in education, workplaces, and policy, we still know little about how people in these communities feel about them. This study explored the views of 740 adults with lived experience of autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, or both autism and ADHD. Participants were asked which terms they preferred, which they found offensive, and how acceptable they found six commonly used terms describing neurodiversity: neurodiverse, neurodivergent, neurodistinct, neuroatypical, neurospicy, and neurominority. Overall, neurodivergent was rated as the most positive, least offensive, and most acceptable term, followed by neurodiverse. In contrast, neurominority and neurospicy were viewed less favourably. Participants were also asked how often they use neurodiversity terms to describe themselves. These terms were generally used infrequently, with people identifying as both Autistic and ADHD more likely to use them, and people with dyslexia less likely to do so. Most participants agreed that neurodivergent was the most acceptable term overall. However, more work is needed to understand why people prefer certain words and what influences whether they use them in daily life. This study provides useful guidance for choosing respectful and inclusive language when describing neurodivergent people in policy, education, and practice.

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Cited references
43
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
11 / 43 (25.6%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
26 / 145 (17.9%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 26 / 80 (32.5%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 17 / 117 (14.5%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
80 / 145 (55.2%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 52 / 117 (44.4%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
54 / 80 (67.5%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 54 / 145 (37.2%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 35 / 52 (67.3%).
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