"When we're writing about a person's experience with a mental health condition, we'll likely use "person-first language." For example, we will refer to someone as "living with schizophrenia" or "having a diagnosis of schizophrenia," instead of describing that person as "a schizophrenic." The same goes for writing about a disability, which is a mental or physical condition that significantly affects the ability to carry out at least one life activity."
"When it comes to autism, many people with the neurodevelopmental condition prefer what's called "identity-first language": describing someone as "an autistic person," for example, rather than "a person with autism." Advocates for this language say that autism is an essential part of their identity, and isn't something that can or should be separated from an individual either in real life or on the page."
Person-first language is typically used when describing an individual's experience with a mental health condition, for example saying someone is "living with schizophrenia" or "having a diagnosis of schizophrenia" instead of labeling them "a schizophrenic." Disabilities are conditions a person has, not the essence of who they are. Many autistic people prefer identity-first language, describing themselves as autistic because autism is an integral part of identity. A majority of autistic people in English-speaking countries prefer identity-first wording, though some prefer person-first language. When individuals state a preference, that preference should be honored. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication and sensory processing, not a mental health disorder and not curable.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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