allistic

Allistic is a term used to describe individuals who are not autistic. It is often used within autistic communities as a way to distinguish neurotypical individuals from those who are autistic. The term is derived from "allism," a neologism that refers to the state of being neurotypical or not autistic.

The adoption of the term "allistic" arose as a way to create a parallel to "autistic" and to assert a positive identity for those who are not on the autism spectrum. It is sometimes used in contrast to the word "neurotypical," which can be perceived by some as implying a default or superior way of being. "Allistic" aims to be a descriptive term without inherent judgment.

It is important to note that "allistic" is not a medical diagnosis. It is a social and identity-related term used primarily within online communities and by autistic individuals themselves. Its usage is not universally adopted, and some may prefer the term "neurotypical" or simply not use a specific term to describe their neurotype. The term helps to frame autism not as a deficit, but as a different way of experiencing the world, with "allistic" describing the more common neurotype.