The Donaldson Trust is committed to amplifying the voices of neurodivergent people.
Our guide to talking and writing about neurodiversity is built on a foundation of respect and insight. We’ve developed it by listening to the preferences of neurodivergent individuals, their families, and professionals in the field. We also incorporate feedback from our Advisory Board, many of whom are neurodivergent themselves.
Instead of dictating “right” or “wrong” language, our approach is to promote awareness and understanding. We aim to help journalists report on neurodiversity with greater sensitivity. The most crucial principle is to respect personal preference – when referring to an individual or group, always ask how they prefer to be described.
The language used to discuss neurodiversity is constantly evolving, and so is our guide. We update the document regularly to ensure the guidelines remain practical and useful for journalists.
Our spokespeople are happy to give interviews, background briefings and work with journalists.
You can contact us Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm:
By Emailing: media@donaldsons.org.uk
By Phone: 01506 841900
For Out of Hours Enquiries:
By Phone: 01506 841921
