Subproject 3: Indexical Bleaching of Autistic Terms

The concept of indexical bleaching distinguishes a process by which the indexical links between a linguistic form and its social meanings are weakened or lost as it moves into new contexts. An especially socially significant example of indexical bleaching is the appropriation of certain words and phrases from marginalized communities by non-members, which can erode or bleach their original specificity and potency. While linguistic appropriations of terms originating in African American and LGBTQ communities have been well documented (e.g., the diffusion of AAVE and drag slang), little research to date has applied this framework in the context of the neurodiverse community. 

This subproject, spearheaded by undergraduate researcher Adilana Anderson, aims to explore the indexical bleaching of terms like “hyperfixation” and “overstimulation,” which were popularized within online neurodiverse discourse before seeing more general use. Through social media discourse analysis, the ALL Team aims to characterize how these terms are spreading and how their original, neurodiversity-forward meanings may be diluted.

Supported by an Undergraduate Research Opportunities (UROP) Summer Grant, Adilana Anderson delivered preliminary results of her study in a poster presentation at the 2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Expo at CU Boulder. She will be leading a team of researchers on this project during the 2026-2027 academic year as a Studio Lab Researcher and Sesquicentennial Scholar. Check out her poster below!