Happy Autism Acceptance Month!

Happy Autism Acceptance Month from Autistic Adults NYC! For folks new to the Autistic Community, or folks from the outside who want to be neurodiversity supporting and affirming, here is some important information and preferred terminology within our community.

Autism Acceptance vs Awareness Month

While “Autism Awareness” is still the most commonly used term for this month, many Autistics have been trying to rebrand April as “Autism Acceptance Month” since as early as 2011. Previous awareness campaigns have misconstrued autism as a “disease” to be aware of, and “awareness” campaigns run by organizations like Autism Speaks have stigmatized and fear-mongered against autistics. We don’t need “awareness". We need acceptance and inclusion of Autism and Neurodiversity within our society.

Person-First vs Identity-First Language

Is it autistic person or person with autism?

Many of us in the Autistic Community prefer “identity-first” language, or we prefer to be called an “Autistic person”, rather than a “person with autism.” “Person with autism” implies that the person can be separated from their autism. In the medical community, people use person-first language to separate the person from their condition (Person with cancer, person with diabetes, etc). Autism however is not a disease or condition we want to rid ourselves of - Autism is an integral part of our identity.

Puzzle Piece vs Infinity Symbol

The neurodiversity infinity is the preferred symbol amongst Autistics. The puzzle piece logo for autism represents the view of autistic people as “puzzling” or of autism as a “mysterious condition", and is connected with organizations like Autism Speaks.

Functioning Labels

Many of us find functioning labels (low-functioning, high-functioning) offensive. It’s not necessary to refer to someone on how “functioning” you might think they are. If you must be more descriptive about someone’s autism, you can refer to what their support needs might be (high or low support needs), or be specific about other things (non-speaking, intellectually disabled, etc).

Asperger’s Syndrome

Aspergers was removed from the DSM-5 and now falls under ASD (autism spectrum disorder). Many Autistics feel that continuing to use the label unnecessarily divides the community, and additionally would rather separate from its namesake.

Autism Speaks

While Autism Speaks is the most well known and supported autism organization, they have only 1 Autistic member on their Board. They have a history of controversial awareness campaigns, supporting a “cure” for autism and other research that could lead to eugenics, and using very little of their budget to actually help autistic people.

If you want to donate to an organization this month, donate to one that is led and supported by Autistic people!