Autistic Opinions Wanted!

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So I got into a long talk with my services coordinator, who said that she respects my decision to use identity-first language, but that her higher-ups command that she use person-first language unless asked differently. I was talking to her about how important it is for the default to be what the community wants to be called, and then when children are old enough to speak for themselves, they can decide if they want to use person-first for themselves, but that until that individual can make that decision, the will of the overall community that is effected by (has) should be the default.

She said that if I had numbers backing up my claim that "most autistics prefer to be called autistic" she would send it up the chain of command, and do what she could to change the default at least for their organization.

So I have created a simple 2-question google doc. If you are autistic, or have autism, or are a person with autism, please fill it out and share it with other groups you may be in. If you are self-diagnosed, that is fine, so long as you yourself are the autistic person/person with autism/person who has autism.

http://goo.gl/forms/2zPgyS241O

-Autistic
-Person with autism
-Person who has autism

All of the above as they are all the same thing to me, and I do not care which is used.

I used the link. I usually describe myself an Aspie, or i say 'I am autistic'. I don't understand why this should be wrong: nobody thinks anything of it when I say 'I am diabetic'. All this person first stuff seems very odd to me.

I'd rather be called autistic.

Thank you for those that put your say on the poll If you haven't, do that. I can't tell who has and hasn't, so that's up to you, but this is making me all excited to see the different replies coming in

I prefer people to just call me by my name.

I've voted. I prefer 'autistic'.

'With autism' sounds like it's a small add-on, which I know is what some people want but to me it doesn't explain that autism is a big part of the person. It's not something that you just push aside and forget about.

As long as they don't call me some more derogatory names, I'm okay with whatever variation on "autistic person" is used.

Is "autismic" taken yet? Hehe.

I am with EzraS and kraftiekortie. Call me whatever you like, but know that I will bite back if it is insulting. I learned years ago that "Queers Bash Back" (Queer Nation).

I prefer, 'I'm autistic'.

I agree with the poster who said it's not an add on.

Done.

I use all three and am not bothered about which is used, however I do have a problem with people telling me I cannot say I'm autistic. It's not an inherently bad state that needs to be separated from my other 'good' traits. (And I say this as someone who views their autism as a disability.)

When explaining that I have autism I generally say "I'm autistic" the same way I might say "I'm tall" or something and I do personally prefer that, I don't have a strong opinion about it though. You could call me a "person with autism", a "person who has autism", or even a "person who so happens to have a cronic psychological condition known formally as autism" all you want. It's a bit of a mouthful compared to just "autistic" though and I don't see why people care about the person first thing.

There was another poll done on this recently. I can't find it at the moment since the search option is malfunctioning, but I recall the results being roughly 65% prefer "Autistic", 25% prefer "with Autism" and 10% didn't care either way.

I answered your survey. Since the previous poll has likely had more participants thus far, you may try finding that if you need the results soon.

Aspie, aspergian, person with aspergers. It's all the same to me.

Ditto for the same variations on "autistic".

What I hate is the term "autist".

An "autist" would be to autism what an "artist" is to art, or what a "scientist" is to science: someone who "does" autism on purpose as a profession, and a craft, and high art (which would make no sense).

I don't care if someone calls me "autistic," or "person with autism" or whatever. Even "Aspergers's" though I've never been diagnosed with Asperger's. I was recently diagnosed with high-functioning autism.