How do you identify: as an autistic or a person with autism? The done thing these days is identity-first rather than person-first. But speaking personally and as a boomer, it sometimes takes me longer to arrive at the right terminology. But when you're older you don't necessarily mix in the same circles and as autistics we may not mix in any circles at all!
I am fairly new to this too. But I usually say 'I'm autistic'. I have also said 'people with autism' too and was told off in a forum! I think it's because the person first (with autism) rather than identify first (autistic) has a negative history from when autism was viewed as something to be cured and mainly used by parents of children from that era. At the same time, I think it should be totally up to a person and what they feel comfortable with. I have used them interchangably.
However, I do understand how identity first means you can't separate yourself from your autism. Like you wouldn't say 'with gayness' or 'blackness' or 'whiteness'! But on the other hand disabled or people with disabilities - that can be contentious for the same reasons. 'With ADHD' just scans much better. Even 'I'm an ADHDer' just sounds way too clunky 😃 I suppose you could use it as an adjective: 'I'm ADHD/Audhd' but still doesn't sit very well, in my opinion.
There are other disabilities, too, where there just isn't the right word, so I also have to say 'I have ME/CFS' or 'I have Fibromyalgia' for ease. Then again, those are invisible illnesses and conditions that you wouldn't necessarily wholly identify with.
Times and names change but in the end I think you have to do what's right for you at a particular time.
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