Language Guide for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

This guide serves as a resource for promoting respectful, inclusive, and affirming language regarding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is informed by individuals with lived experience of ADHD and is intended for use by educators, professionals, and employers. The guide emphasizes that ADHD is a neurocognitive style rather than a disorder, highlighting the importance of understanding it through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. It outlines guiding principles for language use, advocating against terms that stigmatize or pathologize individuals with ADHD. The guide encourages the use of preferred terminology and emphasizes the strengths associated with ADHD, such as creativity and resilience. It also addresses the need to avoid infantilizing language and recognizes the variability of ADHD across different individuals and contexts. Overall, the guide aims to foster a more nuanced and respectful dialogue around ADHD.