Neurodivergent glossary
Identity-First Language
Saying "autistic person" instead of "person with autism"—a linguistic choice that treats the condition as an identity rather than an accessory, preferred by most autistic self-advocates.
What it means
Identity-first language places the condition before the person: "autistic person," "Deaf person," "disabled person." Person-first language does the opposite: "person with autism," "person with a hearing impairment," "person with a disability." The debate between these two approaches is one of the most visible conversations in disability and neurodivergent communities.
Most autistic self-advocates prefer identity-first language. The reasoning: autism isn't something you carry around like a bag—it's woven into how you think, perceive, and experience the world. Saying "person with autism" implies autism is separable from the person, something that could theoretically be removed. Saying "autistic person" acknowledges that autism is a fundamental part of who someone is, not an add-on.
This preference isn't universal. Some people, particularly those with acquired conditions or those who don't want a diagnosis to define them, prefer person-first language. Many ADHD communities use both interchangeably. The most respectful approach is to ask individuals their preference—and when speaking about a community as a whole, to follow that community's majority preference.
In practice
What this can look like
- A well-meaning colleague insists on saying "person with autism" because they were taught it's more respectful. You explain that most autistic adults actually prefer "autistic"—and that respecting the community's own language choice is the more respectful move.
- You're writing a school policy and aren't sure which language to use. You check the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, which uses identity-first language, and follow their lead for autism-related references while using person-first for other conditions where that's the community preference.
Context
Community note
The identity-first preference is strong in autistic communities but less settled elsewhere. The key principle isn't which format is universally correct—it's that affected communities get to choose their own language, and outsiders should follow their lead.
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