I’m not going to dox myself, but I am an autism activist and we all pretty much use the term autist. If you read Unmasking Autism, a good book btw, it will show that Autist is the preferred nomenclature
I appreciate the insight from everyone here, I have a friend who taught kids with autism and told me that they were taught to say “person with autism” so I’ve always gone that route since then.
I have a friend who taught kids with autism and told me that they were taught to say “person with autism” so I’ve always gone that route since then.
“Person with autism” is something neurotypical researchers cooked up to describe our “disease” that we need to be “treated” for. Like we’re a person with the flu, or a person with asthma. It implies that we’re fundamentally broken in some way. It’s very common in clinical or educational circles. Your friend probably didn’t know any better, and the kids they were teaching didn’t, either.
“Autistic” or “Autist” is how we talk about ourselves. Autistic folks aren’t sick or broken—we’re whole people. Being autistic is who we are.
i do not like autist as ive only ever heard it used as a slur at me and others. the matter is far from settled and there is no “preferred nomenclature.” you’re supposed to ask people individually, which is great unless you’re in a group - i think maybe “autistic” is fine, like “autistic people” but that’s just my preference. if someone opened with “autists” i would absolutely tense up and probably not engage with what they were saying
Same feelings as I have about the T slur for trans people if I’m being honest, sorry. Basically I dont want to hear it, it hurts, but I dont begrudge people using it on themselves I guess
The first people have already been sent to camps and they are Latin Americans.
Side note, how do people with autism feel about the word autist? I feel like I’ve only seen it used by terminally online people as a sort of slur
I’m not going to dox myself, but I am an autism activist and we all pretty much use the term autist. If you read Unmasking Autism, a good book btw, it will show that Autist is the preferred nomenclature
for who, the author? many autistic people dislike the term. IMO we don’t really even need a noun for autistic people. adjectives work fine.
I appreciate the insight from everyone here, I have a friend who taught kids with autism and told me that they were taught to say “person with autism” so I’ve always gone that route since then.
“Person with autism” is something neurotypical researchers cooked up to describe our “disease” that we need to be “treated” for. Like we’re a person with the flu, or a person with asthma. It implies that we’re fundamentally broken in some way. It’s very common in clinical or educational circles. Your friend probably didn’t know any better, and the kids they were teaching didn’t, either.
“Autistic” or “Autist” is how we talk about ourselves. Autistic folks aren’t sick or broken—we’re whole people. Being autistic is who we are.
i do not like autist as ive only ever heard it used as a slur at me and others. the matter is far from settled and there is no “preferred nomenclature.” you’re supposed to ask people individually, which is great unless you’re in a group - i think maybe “autistic” is fine, like “autistic people” but that’s just my preference. if someone opened with “autists” i would absolutely tense up and probably not engage with what they were saying
I am not going to argue your POV because it’s valid. But what is your opinion on autistic people using the term autist?
Same feelings as I have about the T slur for trans people if I’m being honest, sorry. Basically I dont want to hear it, it hurts, but I dont begrudge people using it on themselves I guess