Rotation.org recognizes that there are many ways to describe those living with physical, mental, emotional, and intellectual challenges. "Appropriate" or "preferred" descriptions have changed over time and will likely continue to do so. As we seek to help with a diversity of needs -- we also need to be respectful and inclusive of the diverse ways people wish to be described and speak.

Preferred terms can change depending on the particular group, challenge, region, language, culture, and how people themselves prefer to be described. As leaders in the church, it is our challenge to learn and share the language that's appropriate for our folks.

NEURODIVERSITY
In the 1990s, the term "Neurodiversity" emerged from scholarly circles to describe the research and experience that all of us perceive and interact with the world around us using many different and diverse ways of thinking, learning, and behaving. And while there are "typical" and "atypical" ways of thinking, learning, and behaving, those who are "atypical" or different, are not "less than." Instead, they are "challenged" to adapt and survive in the "typical" world, and thus, are often described as people with "special needs" or "neurodivergent."

Neurodiversity refers to the diversity of ALL people, but it is most often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities. The neurodiversity movement aims to broaden our understanding of all the ways we think, learn, and behave -- and increase the acceptance and inclusion of our diversity. (Harvard Health Reference)

The following graphic is descriptive, not definitive. Click to enlarge.

The term "special needs" is a broader term than "neurodiverse" because it can include those with special physical needs, such as those who require a wheelchair, MS, or are immuno-compromised. Many who are physically challenged don't mind the use of the term "disabled" or "handicapped," but some balk at the term "special needs." Listen and ask.

The graphic above includes "gifted" under the "neurodiverse" umbrella, which may surprise some. It just goes to show how researchers and experience are helping us see just how diverse the human brain can be, and that some perceived strengths, like perceived weaknesses, are merely the result of "being wired differently." The debate over "how" and "why" this diversity develops in the brain is the subject of ongoing research. Neurodiversity normalizes our differences rather than judging them.

From a theological point of view, we are all "disabled" and diverse, and we are called to accept and take care of each other.

This brief foray into the terminology is meant to raise the subject. It is not meant to be exhaustive or definitive for you and yours. You are welcome to post your thoughtful opinion and resources by "replying" to this post.

This understanding of our learning differences correlates to the Workshop Rotation Model's embrace of Howard Gardner's "theory of multiple intelligences" -- the learning research that describes the many ways our brains are equipped to engage the world and learn: art, music, movement, logic, spiritual, introspection, listening and speaking, etc., and the fact that each of us has learning preferences, strengths, and weaknesses.  Regardless of one's "disability" (and we all have them, some more profound than others), God has wired our brains to engage the world with many different abilities -- and the more we use, the better!