How to talk about autistic people

[Scautish]

There are many, many threads on MN where either autistic adults are discussed in an inaccurate manner, or horrible/abusive behaviour is attributed to autism, often the now-defunct Asperger's Syndrome.

In the relationships section, it is particularly common. This is hurtful and damaging to autistic people.

The charity Autistica has recently brought out guidelines for journalists and other media content producers and I thought it might be helpful, particularly for @MNHQ who continue to allow threads which discuss autism in

the link is here, but here is an excerpt.

Talking sensitively, accurately and positively about autism in the media is crucial. Many autistic people tell us that autism is part of who they are. They want society to be aware of both the challenges and strengths associated with autism, and accept and embrace difference. This guide aims to help journalists use the right language and understand the needs of autistic interviewees.

Talking about autism
Autism is a lifelong developmental condition which changes the way people communicate and experience the world around them. Some autistic people are able to learn, live and work independently but many have learning difficulties or co-occurring health problems that require specialist support.

Getting language right
In a recent consultation, the majority of autistic people preferred the term 'autistic’. For example: ‘he is autistic’ or ‘autistic adult’. Do not use the noun e.g. ‘an autistic’.
Parents generally prefer ‘on the autism spectrum’.
Avoid the terms ‘Aspergers’ or ‘Aspie’ - these are no longer given as a diagnosis.
Use of the word 'condition' is ok, and in the right context ‘disability’, but ‘disease’ or ‘disorder’ should be avoided.
Don’t use ‘mild/severe autism’ or ‘high/low functioning’, instead say ‘autistic' or autistic and has a learning disability’
Say that someone speaks few or no words, it's preferred over the term ‘non-verbal’
Don’t use negative language like ‘suffering from’ or ‘paralysed by autism’. It may be appropriate to use this language when talking about other difficulties such as ‘struggling with anxiety’.
Do talk about autistic people's strengths.
Talk about how research can improve lives, not fix problems.

Is Asperger’s defunct? My DD has recently been diagnosed.

No it's not and neither is the term non-verbal

Under the DSM V, Aspergers syndrome has been removed as a classification in its own right, as it is on the autistic spectrum. However, many people prefer the distinction and continue to use the term to describe themselves or their child.

I don't mind being referred to as aspie. nor does my son. We identify more to that than autistic.

I know two people who refer to themselves as aspies. It’s surely their right to refer to themselves as they see fit.

'Non-verbal' is definitely still acceptable language isn't it? What's wrong with it? And surely 'he is non-verbal' is better than 'he speaks no words'?

I would phrase "people with autism" rather than "autistic people". My younger sister has Down Syndrome and I find it really rude to hear someone say "a down's girl".

I was diagnosed with aspergers after it was apparently defunct. I'm also ok with referring to myself as an aspie.

I think how an autistic person wishes to refer to themselves is up to them.

How a non-autistic person wishes to refer to an autistic person should not be at their discretion.

Exactly @DoubleNegativePanda you are supposed to see the person first then the disability/diagnosis

My daughter is not a 'disability' person she is a young lady who has 'disability'.

all autistic people are different and will refer to themselves in different ways, Ds has asd as in disorder. (diagnosis)

suffering from I agree with you, though some may feel they are suffering from it. (especially the parents)

better to er on the side of caution until you know what the people concerned prefer.

That’s assuming the autistic person can communicate their preference.

I’ve noticed people using the term pre-verbal rather than non-verbal.

Many people still use the term Aspergers as that was their diagnosis.

@Doublenegativepanda this is purely guidelines for autistic people. It doesn't apply to other conditions. I do not refer to my gay friend as a person with gayness.

I think aspergers is defunct here. High IQ quirky child just called autistic. Im fairly jew to it all (and quite probably on the spectrum myself).

I find it hard to differentiate as my child has a v diff set of needs to those who wre non verbal "llow functioning" and I wouldnt claim pur fmaily life is as tough or has the same number of challenges . I want to be aware of my ease there but dont have acceptable vocabulary. Also when descriving herr to say a new afterschool provision - just autistic covers so much, they needed to know she didnt need a 1-+/wasnt at risk of harm or escape etc but I didnt know how to correctly say my daughter was high functioning and didnt have behaviour issues (well, issues for the childcare provider- she may have issues and meltdown later...)

Hence clicking in this thread in hope of better vocabulary!

Asperger's has been removed as its own seperate classification and is just under the umbrella term of autism.
I was diagnosed with autism/Asperger's.
I refer to myself as autistic.
I am autistic.

My DS (17 this month) begs to differ and does not want to have an unknown charity decide how he refers to himself - and Asperger syndrome is among his several diagnoses. He also wishes to say that 'good speak' just fokuses the attention of people away from actually doing something.
And his cousin a non-verbal adult who needs 1:1 supervision at all times did clearly not enjoy is inability to tell his mother why he was terrified of doors and drawers for a whole summer. I think 'suffering' is the correct word here.

I have 2 autistic sons. One has a diagnosis of Aspergers. I’ve found the Facebook group Embracing Autism very insightful as to the views of the autistic community.

@Scoutish I understand what you're saying, I was simply addressing the question in the title. For what it's worth though, I was referring to people with disabilities in general. Since being gay is certainly not a disability I don't think it's the same thing at all.

(I obviously struggle typing on my phone. Apologies 😳.)

Prok - we have a cousin who is non verbal
and def suffers and the family have had to do a lot to manage care etc. I suspect my duaghter and I would have been labelled aspergers if it had been a few years ago and imagine we would have been happy with that. So yes curious!

Double I guess where that is where the "I am autistic" rather thsn person first language comes from. Many autistic people see it as a difference not a disability rather like being gay. My daughter certainly does and is happy with "I am autistic".

This thread was intended for non-autistic adults who are discussing their partners who they suspect are autistic adults. That is why I started it in Relationships. I thought my pre-amble clarified this but perhaps it is open to ambiguity.

I genuinely did not intend to offend any other disability, or condition. If you feel Autistica are not accurately representing the preferred terminology then definitely take this up with them.

What is your experience or knowledge of ASD Op other than a link from an organisation?

My son was recently given an Aspergers diagnosis - the term Aspergers or Aspie doesn't offend us, it's actually preferred.

I use the term aspergers for my 13 year old ds as that is the diagnosis he was given. Also the whole talking positively thing sometimes grates on me. For some people autism is something they are positive about but today I took a 5 year old for a walk in the hope that he would sleep tonight. I had to use toddler reins and it was still very hard work. He wants to chase cars and lick the wheels. He doesn't understand why we can't just run across the road. He wants to climb into the nearest hedge and touch stinging nettles. And after all that it didn't even work because it's nearly 10:45pm and he is still awake. Sometimes I need to be able to say that autism is a massive PITA and it's something my 5 year old suffers from. It's not just about thinking differently.