Autism-related language preferences of English-speaking individuals across the globe: A mixed methods investigation.
Connor Tom Keating, Lydia Hickman, Joan Leung and 4 others
PMID 36474364WHAT IT FOUND
Most autistic adults prefer identity-first language like 'autistic person' over 'person with autism'.
They reject functioning labels and 'Asperger's' as harmful. Clinicians should ask each patient their preference rather than assuming a standard term.
Key findings
01The term 'Autistic person' was endorsed by 79.5% of participants, compared to 23.9% for 'Person with autism'.
02Participants rejected functioning labels like 'high-functioning' because support needs fluctuate, and these labels lead to overlooked accommodations or denied agency.
03Qualitative themes revealed that many participants view 'autistic' as a noun (e.g., 'an autistic') as dehumanizing, preferring it as an adjective.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample was predominantly white, highly educated, and English-speaking, limiting generalizability to other cultural and linguistic groups. The survey was online, potentially excluding those without internet access or with significant intellectual disabilities. Participants were asked which terms they were happy to use for themselves, not necessarily which terms they accept others using (e.g., reclamation of slurs). The study relies on self-reported preferences, which may not reflect how individuals feel when clinicians use those terms in power-imbalanced contexts.
Declared interests
Funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Medical Research Council. No other conflicts of interest declared.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that because 'autistic person' is the majority preference, it is correct for every individual. The study explicitly found that preferences vary, and the overriding clinical principle is to ask each patient for their specific preference rather than enforcing a group norm.