Oklahoma Divergent follows the style guidelines as set forth by the National Center on Disability and Journalism.

We believe both in person-centered language and that an individual has the right to self-identify as they so choose.

This publication will refer to someone with a disability or clinical diagnosis—not that they are disabled, unless we are quoting a person referring to themselves as such.

A person has Down syndrome, they are not “downs” just as someone has autism but is not autistic. We also specify autism by levels, rather than “high functioning” or “low functioning.” If someone refers to themselves as “autistic,” we will quote them accordingly.

We will always use language that provides everyone with equal dignity and respect.

In addition, the following abbreviations and terms are used for brevity and are commonly found in academic literature regarding people with disabilities:

PWD - People with Disabilities. Disabilities are defined as a condition that limits the person or negatively impacts daily life. This abbreviation is often used in government and academic reports for brevity and OKD will use it as well.

Neurodivergent - The term is defined differently among researchers and advocates, but is commonly defined as person who learns and processes information differently than a person with a typically functioning brain. This umbrella term can include people with autism, Down syndrome, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, or any diagnosis that affects the function of a person’s brain that is not typical.

Neurotypical - A person who learns and processes information in a way typically expected in conventional settings.

Adult Child - An adult who is dependent on the support of a parent for daily living tasks or tasks that a neurotypical person can perform. This is not the definition in psychology which refers to an adult who lives with trauma from a dysfunctional home. Oklahoma Divergent will only use this term when absolutely necessary to quote someone in a story.

Intellectual/Developmental Disability - An impairment to obtain knowledge or independence that causes a broad range of conditions related to social, learning and cognitive abilities. This term is used in place of mental retardation, which is a term that is strongly offensive and will not be used in this publication to identify anyone with IDD.