<p>I think "quirky" can mean things to different people. After reading this thread, I asked 3 of my daughters if they heard a child being described as "quirky", what did that mean? One said "Somebody that thinks outside of the box--does things a little differently than the others." Another said "Maybe artsy, different sense of humor, likes things that others may not, like maybe always wearing non-matching socks because they want to make a statement." My oldest daughter said "Weird. The kid is just plain weird."</p>
<p>When I hear the term "quirky", it evokes images of a person who marches to the beat of a different drummer, but in a good and interesting way.</p>
<p>I think as long as you explain "quirky" a little its okay. As in "She's quirky. Very artsy and liberal".</p>
<p>as a professional in the field, I can say that many use quirky as a code word for autistic spectrum, professionals included..</p>
<p>So it can have a negative connotation....</p>
<p>For me, when I hear 'quirky' in reference to a teenager, it's a good word.
However, a 'quirky' adult has a different connotation.</p>
<p>many professionals actually use it as a diagnosis in reports to avoid saying aspergers or another form of autism. I would be careful.</p>
<p>DrNancie is correct, "quirky" is a word that professionals tend to use for Asperger's Syndrome (sp?) that the parents of a child don't want diagnosed.</p>
<p>Cross posted!</p>
<p>Yes, but don't the professionals realize that it is not really a medical term and that it is just "professional slang"? i.e. I am a nurse, and might refer to a disoriented patient as being "out to lunch" to another nurse. If I heard someone on the street say that about someone, I would not immediately assume they had alzheimers or some other sort of dementia like I would if I were in the health care setting getting my shift report.</p>
<p>I think it's a good idea to try to avoid terms which could have negative associations, if you don't mean to alert the audience to a problem. It seems "quirky" is in a gray area, between professional term and its base meaning. </p>
<p>A very nice mother once told me an amusing story. In trying to describe her son on an application, she inadvertently used words which are now used to signal ADHD. "Energetic", "sometimes restless," etc. She had intended to describe her son as "a typical boy," but an admissions officer called her, enquiring if her son had ever received a diagnosis! </p>
<p>It's probably a good idea to show parent essays to other adults, who might catch such unintended meanings.</p>
<p>I agree it is a problem word, which is why I found it difficult to answer the OP in the first place. If quirky means "unique", all kids are quirky to that extent. Quirky might mean artsy, but it seems to convey something more unpleasant.</p>
<p>I asked my kids and they thought it was something slightly negative. BTW, they are artsy.</p>
<p>So, the word is drifting from its original meaning. A few years ago, I would have heard "quirky" as, "has a few quirks."</p>
<p>I would not describe a child as, "liable to fidget when bored," although most people do fidget when bored. I would fear hitting the code words for ADHD.</p>
<p>Are there any other words which are liable to have new meanings?</p>
<p>how about williston and northampton?
I've heard they having a thriving arts program. Could be wrong though..i dont know much about it though..</p>
<p>high mowing?</p>
<p>I would take a look at indian springs in alabama. it has a very artsy almost hippie vibe. birmingham has amazing arts</p>