While many have used and continue to use the term "person with autism" because they find it more polite or respectful, it is widely accepted that people who have received an autism diagnosis prefer to be referred to as an "autistic person."
Autism, now called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder. ASD is a developmental disability caused by differences in your child's brain. People with ASD may behave, interact and learn in ways that are different from other people.
“On the spectrum/autism spectrum” is also acceptable. Some people with autism may call themselves and others an “autie” or an “aspie”, referring to asperger's syndrome.
People identifying with Asperger syndrome may refer to themselves in casual conversation as aspies (a term first used in print in the Boston Globe in 1998).
Even though this is the established, correct terminology, you may still hear families use terms like Asperger's Syndrome or PDD-NOS in casual conversation. Though some may still use these terms, they are outdated and not in line with the DSM-5.
' Ultimately, what we are saying when we say 'person with autism' is that the person would be better off if not autistic." "Yet, when we say 'autistic person,' we recognize, affirm, and validate an individual's identity as an autistic person…
Using "autism" or "autistic" as a slur or insult is also never acceptable. A person's diagnosis should never be mocked. Members of the autism community deserve to be treated with respect and accepted by their communities.
While many have used and continue to use the term "person with autism" because they find it more polite or respectful, it is widely accepted that people who have received an autism diagnosis prefer to be referred to as an "autistic person."
Autism is a neurological developmental disability with an estimated prevalence of one to two percent of the American and worldwide population. The diversity of the disability means that each person's individual experience of autism and needs for supports and services can vary widely.
LA – Local Authority (also Learning Assistant) LO – Local Offer. MLD – Moderate Learning Difficulties. MSI – Multi-Sensory Impairment. ODD – Oppositional Defiance Disorder.
Asperger syndrome as a diagnostic term
However, some people continue to describe themselves using this terminology, usually because their diagnosis forms an important part of their identity in a way that is not connected to official diagnostic terminology or its historical context.
Active but Odd
Other individuals show interest in people and enjoy their company; they may even want to join groups and make friends. However, their ability to do so successfully is limited by their difficulty knowing what to do or say in social situations. They may be awkward and unsure during interactions.
In 2015, the DSM-5 officially folded Asperger Syndrome into the umbrella diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The organization felt it was appropriate to alter its name at that time to the “Asperger/Autism Network” to reflect this development and also to recognize its reach had expanded beyond New England.
The principal difference between autism and what was once diagnosed as Asperger's is that the latter features milder symptoms and an absence of language delays. Most children who were previously diagnosed with Asperger's have good language skills but may have difficulty “fitting in” with their peers.
Level 1 is the mildest, or “highest functioning” form of autism, which includes those who would have previously been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Individuals with ASD level 1 may have difficulty understanding social cues and may struggle to form and maintain personal relationships.
They are one and the same. The Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the clinical definition for autism. Some people chose to be referred to as “an autistic person”, while others prefer to be referred to “a person with autism”.
While originally used to refer specifically to people who are autistic, usage of the term has broadened significantly in years since. Neurodivergence now refers to any structured, consistent way that brains work differently for a group of people than they do for the majority of others.
Autism is highly variable – the word 'spectrum' refers to how autism is experienced differently by different people. Autism is considered a spectrum because it's different for every autistic person – some autistic people might need more support than others to live the lives they want to lead.
Autism is a neurological developmental disability with an estimated prevalence of one to two percent of the American and worldwide population. The diversity of the disability means that each person's individual experience of autism and needs for supports and services can vary widely.
Level 1 is the mildest, or “highest functioning” form of autism, which includes those who would have previously been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Individuals with ASD level 1 may have difficulty understanding social cues and may struggle to form and maintain personal relationships.
Although the exact cause of autism is still unknown, there is evidence to suggest that genetics play a significant role. Since autism is less prevalent in females, autism was always thought to be passed down from the mother. However, research suggests that autism genes are usually inherited from the father.