Autism and you: People First or Identity?

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I'm actually studying the sociology of self this week at school. I think I use person first because over the years I've come to the conclusion that a person's identity is a complex dynamic constellation and autism is not the centre of how I identify myself. If I ever spoke about it to others I would probably use language like 'I'm somewhere on the autistic spectrum' not 'I am autistic'. I'm far more than just that.

It is part of my identity now. I have lots of NT in me too.

Identity for me too.

I am autistic with Asperger's Syndrome. I don't suffer from Autism, I suffer from the ignorance that is associated with people who don't understand what that means. It isn't easy, I am currently trying to fight redundancy as they have found my 'Reasonable Adjustments' to be an irritation, but this Aspie is going to fight tooth and nail. It may be seen as a just a label to some, but the problem with that is the perceptions of the myths and limitations that go along with the label in the minds of others. I, however, refuse to be limited by that and have my way of being ignored by well meaning people who just want me to be a person like everybody else. Newsflash, I am a person, I am an autistic person, no more, no less. Like everybody on this forum, I have amazing strengths and some specific (and also random) weaknesses but I am proud to have an autistic brain and way of being.

I see it as a rather cut and dry thing, if your life hasn't been shaped by autism your likely not autistic..


I really think it's that simple.

Autism has a defining influence on all parts of a person, to deny this would seem like a detraction from autism awareness.


That being said as part of awareness it's important for people to acknowledge that there are many many different types of people that fall under the autism banner.

Proponents of person-first language use it because they consider something a disability, so they think it is hurtful to characterize someone with their "disability". I don't consider me being autistic a disability; I consider it a part of myself that has strengths and weaknesses like the rest of my personality. However, being autistic is a large part of who I am, and I would be a very different person if I was not autistic. That is why I prefer identity-first language.

I love being an Aspie. October 25, 4567 is a Sunday. It's not a disability. It's a challenge, as well as an advantage.