Published on 12, July, 2020
I often refer to myself as an "Autist" and would not be at all concerned if anyone else called me it either (assuming it was done without malice).
For some reason the word really appeals to me - it just fits!
A therapist suggested that saying "an autistic person" would be more inclusive.
Are there offensive connotations to the word "Autist"?
I don't mention it to people. Some family members know and senior management at work, that's it. My manager told me " you can't have autism, you have empathy". Found that frustrating. As I'm not like to tell anyone else, unless it's medical staff, maybe, then I don't have a label for myself. I also have no issue with how anyone else wishes to refer to themselves. It you like it, you go for it.
What a weird remark about you not having autism because you have empathy. Sounds like the manager doesn't have empathy