Words Matter: Why Autism Cork Global Uses Identity-First Language

The words we choose to describe people matter deeply. In the autism community, a significant conversation has been unfolding in recent years about language—specifically, whether we should say "autistic person" (identity-first language) or "person with autism" (person-first language). While this might seem like a minor distinction to some, for many autistic individuals and their families, it represents something much more profound about identity, acceptance, and how we view neurodiversity.

At Autism Cork Global, we've listened carefully to this conversation, and we want to share our thinking on why we've chosen to primarily use identity-first language in our communications.

Understanding the Two Approaches

Person-First Language places the person before the diagnosis: "person with autism," "child with ASD," "individual who has autism." The philosophy behind this approach is rooted in the disability rights movement's effort to emphasise that a person is more than their diagnosis or disability.

Identity-First Language places the characteristic first: "autistic person," "autistic child," "autistic individual." This approach treats autism as an integral part of someone's identity, similar to how we might say "Irish person" or "tall person."

Both approaches come from a place of respect and good intentions. So why has the autism community increasingly gravitated towards identity-first language?

What the Autistic Community Is Saying

When we listen to autistic self-advocates—the very people whose lives and identities we're discussing—a clear pattern emerges. Many autistic adults prefer identity-first language for several compelling reasons.

Autism Is Inseparable From Identity

For many autistic individuals, autism isn't something they "have" like a possession or an illness they carry—it's fundamental to who they are. It shapes how they think, perceive, and experience the world. Trying to linguistically separate the person from their autism can feel artificial and even dismissive of their lived experience.

As many self-advocates have expressed, you cannot remove the autism and still have the same person. It's woven into their neurology, their thought patterns, their strengths, and their challenges.

Person-First Language Can Imply Something Negative

The reasoning behind person-first language—that we need to separate the person from the condition—can unintentionally send the message that autism is something negative, something that needs to be distanced from the person's core identity.

Think about how we use language in other contexts. We don't say "person with tallness" or "person with intelligence." We say "tall person" or "intelligent person" because these aren't characteristics we're trying to distance from identity. When we insist on separating autism from the person, it can suggest that autism is something shameful or lesser—contributing to the very stigma we're trying to combat.

Community Preference Matters

Multiple surveys and discussions within the autistic community have shown a strong preference for identity-first language. While individual preferences vary (and should always be respected), the collective voice of the autism community has spoken clearly about this issue.

Addressing Professional and Parental Concerns

We fully recognise that many parents and professionals prefer person-first language and use it with the best of intentions. The person-first movement has done important work in humanising discussions about disability and fighting dehumanisation.

For parents especially, person-first language can feel like a way to ensure the world sees their child as a whole person first, not reduced to a diagnosis. This concern is valid and comes from a place of love and protection.

However, what we're seeing is a generational shift. As more autistic adults are able to advocate for themselves and share their perspectives publicly, they're asking us to reconsider whether person-first language actually serves its intended purpose in the context of autism.

Why Autism Cork Global Chooses Identity-First Language

As an organisation committed to supporting and advocating for the autism community, we believe our language choices should reflect the preferences of the community we serve.

We Are Led By the Community

Our approach is simple: we listen to autistic individuals and their families. When the majority of autistic self-advocates express a clear preference, we respect that voice. This doesn't mean we're dismissing the perspectives of parents and professionals—rather, we're prioritising the voices of those whose identity is being discussed.

Our Language Commitment

In our communications, we primarily use:

• Identity-first language: "autistic children," "autistic adults," "autistic individuals"

• Neutral terms: "people on the autism spectrum," "individuals who have an ASD diagnosis," "members of the autism community"

  
  

We avoid defaulting to person-first language, while always respecting individual preferences when someone indicates their personal choice.

Respecting Individual Choice

Here's something crucial: while we default to identity-first language as an organisation, we absolutely respect that language is personal. Some autistic individuals and families prefer person-first language, and that preference is completely valid.

If someone tells us they prefer to be called a "person with autism" rather than an "autistic person," we honour that. Language flexibility and individual respect go hand in hand.

The Bigger Picture

Ultimately, the language we use is about dignity, respect, and accurate representation. By using identity-first language, we're acknowledging that autism is a natural part of human neurodiversity—not a tragedy to overcome or a deficit to fix, but a different way of being that comes with its own strengths and challenges.

This approach aligns with the broader neurodiversity movement, which recognises that neurological differences like autism are natural variations in human neurology deserving of acceptance and accommodation, rather than pathology requiring cure.

Moving Forward Together

Language evolves as our understanding deepens. What matters most is that we remain open, humble, and willing to listen—especially to those whose identities we're describing.

At Autism Cork Global, we're committed to continuing this conversation, learning from the community, and adjusting our approach as needed. We invite parents, professionals, and autistic individuals to share their perspectives with us as we all work towards creating a more accepting and understanding world.

Want to join the conversation? We'd love to hear your thoughts on language and identity. Connect with us and share your perspective as we continue learning together.

Learn more about our inclusive approach through our training courses and resources designed by and for the autism community >> Start Learning