The terms disabilities and disabled include a broad range of physical and mental conditions both visible and invisible.

When possible, ask people how they want to be described. Some people view their disability as central to their identity, and use identity-first language such as an autistic woman. Others prefer person-first language such as a woman with autism or a woman who has autism.

When unaware of the subject's preference, alternate person-first and identity-first language throughout a piece in a way that flows naturally.

Terms to avoid and alternatives

This is not exhaustive, and it's best to understand the reason behind why you should avoid these terms, and to apply that to any dilemmas you may have. In general, remember that 'disabled' and 'disability' are not bad words, and that people who are disabled are not lesser than those who are not.

neurodiversity, neurodiverse

An environment or situation including or thinking of all brains, including neurotypical, neuroatypical, etc.

neuroatypical

A neurology that presents as different from the typical pattern of thinking/functioning. This is a wide category including but not limited to: autistic people, those with dyslexia, people with ADHD, those with mental health disorders, those with other learning disabilities/differences

neurotypical

A neurology that is the typical brain and thinking pattern, that of the majority of the populace. This is usually used to say that someone is NOT neuroatypical.

autistic

A person diagnosed with any of the spectrum of autistic diagnoses including PDDNOS, autism, Asperger's (this is no longer an official diagnosis but many still use it).

allistic

A person who is not autistic. They can be neurotypical or neuroatypical, but they are not specifically autistic,

learning disability/learning difference

This covers a wide swath of neuroatypicality, including but not limited to dyslexia, ADHD, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and more. It's best to ask people which they prefer: a learning disability, a learning difference or a reference to the specific disability/difference they have. When talking in general, be as specific as possible. If a feature helps someone with dyslexia, using that word rather than the general 'learning disability/learning difference' is more useful.