diffability

English

Etymology

Blend of different +‎ ability, as a play on disability intended to remove the term's negative connotations.

Noun

diffability (plural diffabilities)

1. (uncommon) A psychological condition, such as Asperger's syndrome, viewed as a natural neurological variation rather than a disability or disorder.
   • 2003, Wendy Lawson, Build Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide For Individuals with Asperger Syndrome, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 138:

     However, accepting my diffability as part of the package I come in, makes my life much easier to deal with. I'm not suggesting that we use Asperger's Syndrome as an excuse for not doing things, just that we aim at being 'inclusive' towards ourselves, as well as towards others.

   • 2009, Rudy Simone, 22 Things a Woman Must Know If She Loves a Man with Asperger's Syndrome, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, →ISBN, page 13:

     It is not so much a disability as a diffability. People with AS are often brilliant in some respects, but they may display different social and emotional responses than what is considered the norm.

   • 2013, “Contributors”, in Jami L. Anderson, Simon Cushing, editors, The Philosophy of Autism, Rowman & Littlefield, →ISBN, page 208:

     Nick Pentzell is a college student and “diffability” advocate for people on the autism spectrum.

See also

• neurodiversity