Neuroaffirmative language guide

Language is more than words — it reflects our values and shapes identity. For neurodivergent children and young people, the language used around them can either help them feel included and respected or cause them to feel excluded and stigmatised.

Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin's Neurodiversity Workstream advocates the use of neuro-affirmative language — language that's respectful, inclusive and supports an individual’s right to be themselves without pressure to ‘conform’ to neurotypical expectations. The Neuro-Affirming Language Guide has been produced to help create environments where neurodivergent children and young people feel seen, heard, and valued.

The Neurodiversity Workstream is encouraging professionals across education, health and social care to adopt the principles and use the guide in their work with children and young people.

Your call to action

This guide is for everyone. When we change our language, we change lives.

• Parent carers — share this guide with those supporting your child
• People working in education, health, or social care — share it with your team, start conversations about how language shapes practice and commit to ongoing reflection and learning

Led by educational psychology services across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, this resource was co-produced with colleagues from 0-25 and adult services through a multi-disciplinary approach involving: neurodiversity practitioners, social care and health professionals, speech and language specialists, and individuals with lived experience.