"GDPR Says Yes"

Neurodiversity 101: From “disclosure” to “sharing needs”: shifting language, shifting power...

The word disclosure comes from the Latin disclaudere — “to unclose” or “open up what was shut”. It entered English in the 14th century and has long implied revealing something hidden, private, or sensitive.

In workplaces we are expecting people to reveal things about ourselves - when sometimes we are not ready, or not know what to say,.. or what to ask for...

In medicine, law, and psychology, disclosure became the accepted term for revealing a diagnosis or condition. But in the neurodiversity world, it’s worth pausing to ask: what are we really saying when we use this word?
the weight behind the word

“Disclosure” can suggest:
A power imbalance – where one person must justify or explain themselves - some people feel under pressure to say something but may not be ready to do so.
A sense of risk or vulnerability - some people may have had poor past experiences and be concerned about the impact of 'revealing' they are neurodivergent.

While sometimes necessary (for example, in requesting reasonable adjustments), the word can unintentionally medicalise identity and labelling something that is far more complex or imply that differences are something to confess. It may actually miss out on crucial information or may mean somebody else make assumptions about our skills!!

Neuroinclusive workplaces and communities are starting to shift away from “disclosure” to more person-centred terms.Let’s keep evolving how we speak—because the words we choose signal whether we’re inviting people in, or keeping systems shut.