Appropriate Terminology

As conversations surrounding social justice evolve, so, too does our language. Terminology that was once considered most appropriate, might not be considered best practices anymore. In terms of language surrounding autism, remember that for the majority of the history of autism understanding and diagnoses, the scholarly work was all done by neurotypicals and autistics have not been allowed to have a say in these matters. Until now. While autistics have always existed, more and more of us are becoming aware of that today. And because the internet exists now, we finally have an opportunity to be heard for the first time.

It’s okay if you used to use, or currently use, this language - I used to, too! But as we learn better, we must do better. So let’s dive into the most problematic language that is still in wide use.

Always remember: if someone asks you to use person-first language, it’s okay to used what terminology they prefer. Functioning labels and Asperger’s, however, have wider implications than personal preference and so I implore any autistics who still use these terms to learn more about why the community on the whole feels so strongly about this. It’s okay to need time to switch gears, I needed time, too.

Here we go!

Functioning labels:

I once had a parent of a non-speaking autistic person ask me: "well if I can't call him low functioning, how do I express that he has higher support needs????" 

Exactly like that, actually. Higher and lower support needs are the language that autistics prefer. Why? Let's get into it.

Firstly, because as the wise Hannah Gadsby once said, " I have what’s called high-functioning autism, which is a terrible name for what I have, because it gives the impression that I function highly. I do not."

Same, girl, same.

In reality, autism and other neurodivergences fluctuate. A person may need less support on one day than the next. Or they may need more support at certain times during their life. Or, because the autism spectrum is not linear but more like a circle, we may need less support in some areas in our lives and more in others. For instance one may be quite capable of writing a whole book, but may not be able to do the grocery shopping.

Secondly, because "low functioning" is just rude ffs. Imagine being called low functioning. No really. Sit with it and think about how it would feel. Often these labels are applied because a person does not appear to meet neurotypical (non-disabled) standards, such as speaking. But just because a person cannot speak doesn’t mean they cannot hear and/or understand. If you call them low-functioning in their presence, that is hurtful. Furthermore many autistics who cannot speak can communicate quite eloquently in writing, if given the tools. And even those who are totally nonspeaking can communicate through behavior if one takes the time to listen.

But the point is that a person should not need to be able to speak to deserve your respect. A person should deserve your respect because they are a person. Period.

Speaking about “support needs” rather than using “functioning levels” is helpful because not only is it more accurate, but it removes the judgement that is inherently a part of determining whether someone functions highly or not.  It takes the focus off the Disabled person and puts that focus on how best to make accommodations for the disability.

Person-first language:

Most autistics prefer to be called "autistic person" (or just "autistic" or even "autist") rather than "person with autism" for a number of reasons.

Firstly because we cannot separate ourselves from our autism. One of the most recognizable traits of autism is taking things literally so many of us just find this phrasing confusing and alienating. We are not "with" our autism. We cannot put it down or leave it at home. Our autism lies in the way our brain developed and because our brains literally shape our personalities, we ARE our autism. 

Secondly because person first language comes from oppressors. Autistics who survived ABA therapy and who grew up in the culture were harmed by the people claiming to help them, so why would they trust language created by those who harmed them? Like any marginalized group, autistics have learned to be suspicious of our oppressors. By using the language we request, we know you listen to us and that you are a person to be trusted.

Furthermore, it also sounds kind of like a euphemism, like you are afraid of our autism and have to cushion the blow by adjusting your language (in the same way, we also do not feel comfortable with phrases like "special needs" or "on the spectrum"). Showing that you are comfortable saying "autistic" shows us that you are comfortable with our autism and therefore with us.

Asperger’s Syndrome

OK you’ll have to wait for this one because I’ve got a whole post dedicated to it, but for now just be aware that it is no longer a diagnosis (at least in the US) and that anyone who once was diagnosed as having Asperger’s Syndrome is now considered simply “autistic.”