03/11/2026
Our words matter. Our words can help and lift people up and our words can also cause both intended and unintended harm. It’s also true that language is always changing, and we get to choose a “know better do better” response OR a “but I’ve always done it this way, I don’t care if it’s now harmful” response.
Be sure to read the last point for each side, and also know that yes, I acknowledge many insurances and educational programs require non-affirming and deficit based language in order to get support. I don’t like it, I advocate for changes in the future, and I also know we have to do our best within the broken systems we have.
It’s also true that I personally identify with some non-affirming language, for *myself*. I feel my executive functions are a difference but also at a deficit, as they are not what I want them to be. But, I choose that language for me. I wouldn’t want to choose that for another person.