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Preference of terminology

Oakling

Just a quick question on preference really. In the letter I received confirming my diagnosis the term ASD was used. However, so was autism and reference was made to the previous label of Asperger’s (which I can understand the move away from). I have also seen people use ASC as their preferred terminology. 

My question is this, if you were to disclose your diagnosis to someone, or if you were in conversation discussing autism, what would your preferred term be? Would it be any of those that I mentioned here? 

I tend to use a variety and haven’t really settled on one. I don’t really suppose it matters, but I just wondered where everyone stood on this and what reasons you have behind your choice or choices. I’m also aware that some will prefer to use none of these terms.

This is a question I am grappling with at the moment, so I thought it is something I would put to this community as this is a place that has helped me process and understand each stage I have encountered post diagnosis.

Parents Reply Children
  • in reply to Oakling

    You are very welcome. I feel very passionately about being autistic. 

    ’Identity first language is very important in my opinion’

    Yes I certainly agree, it is so important to be proud of our autistic identities and by using identity first language we can show that.  Identity first language is important in other cultures such as the LGBTQIA+ community so there is no reason why it wouldn’t be important in our own autistic culture. Language shapes perceptions and therefore actions after all.

    However I understand that there are many different stages of autistic discovery and that it can take a long time to reach the embracing your autistic identity stage (and not everyone of us in our community does, this is perfectly valid).