I am Autistic.
Don't insult yourself like that!
I'm... not?
I'm stating a fact.
I am Autistic.
But it is!
Person-first isn't, though.
Fine.
I'm a person with whiteness.
I'm a person with femaleness.
I'm a person with the ability to speak Chinese.
I'm a person with an interest in art.
I'm a person with math skills.
I'm a person with three younger siblings.
And I am Autistic.
I think you missed my point.
You are a person with autism.
And you are a person with neurotypicality.
And you are a person with the ability to get on my nerves.
And you are a person with a lack of respect for self determination when you tell me what to call myself.
And I am Autistic.
Note: There are two "speakers" here, alternating by stanza. The first speaker is an Autistic person who cares about language, and the second is someone who thinks everyone needs to use person-first always. I don't actually care which you use for yourself because self-determination is important; I just expect the same level of respect for my choosing to call myself an Autistic (person is optional since Autistic only applies to people last I checked) and not wanting to be called a person with autism.
Don't insult yourself like that!
I'm... not?
I'm stating a fact.
I am Autistic.
But it is!
Person-first isn't, though.
Fine.
I'm a person with whiteness.
I'm a person with femaleness.
I'm a person with the ability to speak Chinese.
I'm a person with an interest in art.
I'm a person with math skills.
I'm a person with three younger siblings.
And I am Autistic.
I think you missed my point.
You are a person with autism.
And you are a person with neurotypicality.
And you are a person with the ability to get on my nerves.
And you are a person with a lack of respect for self determination when you tell me what to call myself.
And I am Autistic.
Note: There are two "speakers" here, alternating by stanza. The first speaker is an Autistic person who cares about language, and the second is someone who thinks everyone needs to use person-first always. I don't actually care which you use for yourself because self-determination is important; I just expect the same level of respect for my choosing to call myself an Autistic (person is optional since Autistic only applies to people last I checked) and not wanting to be called a person with autism.
I like reading your stuff. It helps me understand my son more.
ReplyDeleteWe have a facebook group called Blogging Together for Autism. I would like to extend an inviation to you. I enjoyed your blog.
ReplyDeleteThis would be an EXCELLENT cartoon.
ReplyDeleteI'm a flutist, not someone who happens to play the flute.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually a recently diagnosed femtistic with auttitude (I'm not being snarky/sarcastic/trivializing/anything else, I just have a weird sense of humor, hope that doesnt offend - the point is that if I call myself something it's nobody's business to tell me I'm wrong, which I know you agree with). I'm loving your blog. Thank you for being so passionate about making life better.
ReplyDelete