The Role of Language in Shaping Cultural Perceptions Within Healthcare and Supporting Neurodivergent People's Well‐being and Access to Care: Focus on Autistic Experiences

Chronic stigmatisation and social exclusion of neurodivergent people have resulted in poorer quality of life and adverse health outcomes. Language has been weaponised and has furthered their suffering and isolation. With this paper, we propose some considerations of optimal communication interactions in healthcare with neurodivergent people, in general, and autistic people, in particular, to ensure respectful and human-centred patient and practitioner interactions across both clinical and academic practice.