Working together towards a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill: March 2026 Current proposals for potential Bill provisions

The language we use: ‘neurodivergent people and people with learning disabilities’

We recognise that different people have different preferences in terms of how they are described. In this paper we aim to respect those preferences, while acknowledging that no single terminology will suit everyone.

When referring to neurodivergence, we use identity-first language such as ‘neurodivergent person’ or ‘autistic person’, as this was preferred by the majority of such people with whom we interacted during our scoping work for the proposed Bill.

When speaking of learning disabilities, we use person-first language such as ‘people with learning disabilities’, as this was the preference of the majority of such people with whom we interacted during our scoping work.

The umbrella term ‘neurodivergence’ has emerged from the wider stakeholder community to describe people who think differently to those who have ‘typical’ ways of thinking or processing information and includes autistic people and those with other neurodevelopmental profiles or diagnosis – which we understand includes learning disabilities, autism, ADHD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and other conditions.

We also recognise that not everyone identifies with the term neurodivergence. Some people with learning disabilities have particularly told us this. In an attempt to balance these viewpoints, we will use the term ‘neurodivergent people and people with learning disabilities’ throughout this paper.

Should a future government wish to proceed with the Bill’s development following the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, we will continue to seek guidance and feedback on the terminology that we use to ensure that our language remains inclusive and respectful.