The autism-research-cooperation (AFK) developed a guideline to destigmatising and inclusive use of language in autism research for our team.

The Guideline for Language Use in Autism Research were developed following the recommendations of Bottema-Beutel et al. (2021), the publication guidelines for terminology of the scientific journals Autism and Autism in Adulthood and the discussion in the Autismus-Forschungs-Kooperation (AFK). The guideline contains recommendations for the use of diagnostic terms and the designation of subgroups and comparison groups in clinical trials. Medicalised and value-laden terms should be avoided and replaced with neutral or strengths-based language.

You can find the PDF of the guideline here:
You can download the PDF below.