20/05/2025
I love this. I highly recommend Reframing Autism website and resources if you are looking for great information and perspectives.
Edit: Thanks to all who have commented and we can see much debate and discussion has happened on this post. A couple points of clarification... There are very real challenges that come with being Autistic in a world that isn't designed for you. But the stigma and pathology around Autism is not helped by the language used by many, including "suffering" and "low or high functioning". There are many instances in life when a characteristic of a person will result in their having a harder time in life, but we don't use the word "suffering" to describe this characteristic. And functioning labels, however well intentioned, are about how non-autistic people see an Autistic person's Autism and can be highly dependent on the Autistic person's ability to mask. Functioning labels are rooted in ableism and are used to deny agency to those that society deems "low functioning" and deny supports to those that society deems "high functioning". If you are not Autistic yourself, please use this an opportunity to listen to Autistic people's insights on these words. And please don't assume that none of us have ever struggled or been deemed to be "low functioning" - these ideas are based in the misinformation and stereotypes which we seek to debunk.
When it comes to Autism, the language we use matters - It can affirm Autistic identities or reinforce harmful ideas and assumptions.
Many Autistic folks prefer identity-first language: ‘Autistic person’ rather than ‘person with Autism’. Why? Because Autism is a core part of who we are and how we experience the world.
💬 Choosing neuroaffirming language means honouring Autistic voices and identity, and rejecting stigma. Terms such as “high-functioning” or “low-functioning” are harmful and dehumanising. They erase the complexity of each individual’s needs, challenges, and strengths. Instead, we can talk about what kind of support someone needs.
✨ Neuroaffirming language is about making meaningful progress; validating Autistic identities, celebrating differences, and actively moving away from outdated and stigmatising narratives.
Let’s keep learning, let’s keep listening and let’s speak in ways that affirm, not define. 💛
[ID: Against an aqua background, with the Reframing Autism logo in the top left corner and the colourful knotwork logo in the lower right corner, white text heading reads, 'Language Matters'. Beneath that, a white arrow directs to white text which reads, 'Autism is not a deficit or disorder' and beneath that a white arrow directs to white text which reads, 'You cannot 'cure' or 'treat' Autism' and beneath that a white arrow directs to white text which reads, 'Autistic individuals do not 'suffer' from their Autism' and beneath that a final white arrow directs to text which reads, 'And there is no such thing as a 'high-functioning' or a 'low-functioning' Autistic'.]
