Is the label "neurotypical" meaningful?

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It is getting more and more difficult to find any word at all that isn't going to upset or offend anyone. If people didn't read so much into things and simply asked for clarification and got the facts before getting upset life would be so much more honest and easier.

Being so particular about words destroys conversations as people often stop others midway because the fear that the other person is saying something wrong. It is this kind of thing that often makes me nervous about mixing with [Please choose ONE only] normal or neurotypical or average or choose own preferred word.

Can no-one see how ridiculous it is to be so offended by every little thing?

Can no-one ever just accept another person and their little foibles without imaging some inner hatred and evilness within them?

Yes, exactly. It would be great if people would stop assuming that simply using a descriptive word for someone means that you're implying a great deal more than the word actually means. The only reason "neurotypical" exists at all is that "normal" is still such a loaded word. I wish we didn't have to make up new words to avoid all the connotations, but right now it seems like if you're going to say "normal", then you'll have to drag along all the things that "normal" means in our culture--acceptable, not sick, nothing to worry about, socially mainstream, not crazy...

We could say "non-autistic" for people who aren't autistic, of course, and I still do that. But if you're going to talk about people who haven't got quirky brains, then your only real choices are either "normal", "neurotypical", or some longer phrase like "people who haven't got quirky brains".

I've facetiously used "normal" to describe NTs and had people call me on it and derail the discussion. I'd much rather just use "neurotypical" or "NT" and avoid all of that.

I wouldn't say normal is a loaded word. Just that, it's a word with a range of meanings. Neurotypical is more specific. That's why it's a useful word.

Not to say there aren't downsides to the word too.

"NT" is only useful if it's used in a way the listener understands and agrees with.

The problem with the term is that some use it only to mean anyone that is not on the Autistic spectrum. That usage would mean that someone who is ADD, ADHD, or any other DX, but NOT DX'd with anything specifically on the Autistic spectrum is "NT."

Some tough, use it to mean only people who do not have any neurological or psychological diagnosis.

So it can be confusing if you use it one way, and your listener interprets it differently. It is important to be clear how you mean it.

The same sort of problem happens with the term Autistic. Some only use the term to describe severe Autism, and don't consider mild Autism or Asperger's as Autistic at all.

It's a problem with many other terms as well that have nothing to do with Autism.

We aren't the only ones with this type of communication problem. Unfortunately, it's all too common.

Sometimes it is.