Language is a powerful tool - it not only reflects but actively shapes how we understand the challenges people face. The words chosen by researchers and clinicians frame the paradigms in which research and practice take place, while also influencing public perception and the lived experience of individuals. In the context of ADHD, language carries particular weight: it can either perpetuate stigma and discrimination or promote respect, compassion, and understanding.
In this new publication, Anna Price, Three NIHR Research Schools' Mental Health Fellowship Holder, and colleagues call for a constructive dialogue around language use in ADHD research and practice. They emphasize the importance of using terms that are respectful, accurate, and non-stigmatising, and they highlight how such shifts in communication can transform both individual experiences and broader clinical and research practices. By fostering awareness and encouraging more thoughtful word choices, the authors aim to create a more nuanced and compassionate understanding of ADHD, ultimately improving support for people with ADHD and the communities around them.
Citation
French, B., Dekkers, T. J., Barclay, I., Black, M. H., Bölte, S., Daley, D., Ernst, J., Groom, M., Van Hulst, B. M., De Jong, M., Kaiser, A., Kerner Auch Koener, J., Kuntsi, J., Michelini, G., Price, A., Purper-Ouakil, D., Rijmen, J., Wiersema, J. R., Wynchank, D., & Martin, J. (2025). The power of words: respectful language in ADHD research. Lancet Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366%2825%2900167-1