J Autism Dev Disord February 2023 PMID 32112234

"It Defines Who I Am" or "It's Something I Have": What Language Do [Autistic] Australian Adults [on the Autism Spectrum] Prefer?

Simon M Bury, Rachel Jellett, Jennifer R Spoor, Darren Hedley

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Mentions

70
Peak: 13 in Mar 2020
across 8 sources since Feb 2020

Extended reach

158,068
potential audience

Total likes

119

Video views

111

Mentions per month

Feb 2020 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter44 posts
  • News14 articles
  • Facebook5 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit2 posts
  • Instagram1 posts
  • LinkedIn1 posts
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions emphasize the importance of identity-first language, with several posts referencing research results like the preference for terms such as 'Autistic' and 'Person on the Spectrum.' The tone and choice of words convey a respectful and scholarly attitude, reflecting genuine interest and engagement with the research's implications for acceptance and identity affirmation.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the findings that identity-first language like 'Autistic' is preferred, reflecting agreement with the study’s conclusions.

InterestHigh interest

The social discussions show a high level of curiosity and focus on language preferences within the autism community, indicating strong interest.

EngagementHigh engagement

Participants actively cite specific research results, mention related articles, and debate terminology, demonstrating deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations highlight how language preferences influence perceptions and acceptance, suggesting a moderate to high impact on community awareness.

Abstract in brief

  • Autistic Australian adults on the autism spectrum prefer identity-first language, such as "Autistic Person" or "on the autism spectrum," over person-first terminology, viewing autism as integral to their identity.
  • Participants rated terms that emphasize autism as part of their identity as most preferred and least offensive, and their reasons reflect themes like acceptance of diversity and rejection of stigmatizing or medicalized language.
  • The study underscores the need for inclusive conversations about language preferences to better respect individual identities within the autism community.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Steven Kapp
@drstevenkapp · X

Autistic people, neurodiversity supporters, friends, and ~relatives prefer identity-first language for autism. https://t.co/vu1eLgJPzR https://t.co/mf24d5r8yO https://t.co/lHETl11HAN For related arguments see https://t.co/TtbloDR4jZ https://t.co/WHp7JiODlw https://t.co/encIMoYnVx https://t.co/4WVj5odSVd

Apr 28, 2021 · 38 likes · 10 shares · 7,604 followers View post →
Michelle Dawson
@autismcrisis · X

Diagnosed autistic adults "who prefer person-first terms tend to perceive identity-first terms negatively, and vice versa"? https://t.co/f8Qr9iyFpO N=198 (age 18-71, N=58 males) Australian survey

Feb 28, 2020 · 30 likes · 14 shares · 9,275 followers View post →
Dr. Kelsey Perrykkad
@kelseyperrykkad · X

198 Australian adults with a diagnosis of autism chose ‘Autistic’, ‘Person on the Autism Spectrum’, and ‘Autistic Person’ as the most preferred terms. 'Person with ASC/ASD/autism' terms ranked the most offensive overall. Though not everyone agreed. https://t.co/o0KyaBC28Y

Mar 3, 2020 · 22 likes · 7 shares · 727 followers View post →
CliniKids
@clinikids_au · X

First CliniKids Autism Research Journal Club for 2021! @dianawtan22 kicking us off with a great discussion on a recent Australian article by @zimon_b @OlgaTennison exploring preferences for identity and person first language in autism. Article here: https://t.co/voB8dFnG5w https://t.co/imtPkFXV5x

Jan 19, 2021 · 13 likes · 2 shares · 606 followers View post →
Paul Whiteley
@PaulWhiteleyPhD · X

"Ranked-means showed 'person on the autism spectrum' was the most preferred term overall." https://t.co/T7jETBt3yW N=198

Mar 1, 2020 · 5 likes · 1 share · 4,992 followers View post →
Dr Jo Billington
@MsJoBillington · X

@PilsonAnna Here are a couple of important papers in the autism literature that you might find interesting: https://t.co/PFNOOYTeML https://t.co/i5nrNuujlF

Nov 25, 2020 · 2 likes · 7,780 followers View post →

All mentions

Monique Botha is actually they/them
@DrMBotha · X

@ElliTheHarpy @AnnMemmott https://t.co/59GeX4mmw5 https://t.co/7XsXvhyrfB https://t.co/IfSTIhFh58 https://t.co/noTsAP2VeM https://t.co/WzJ3gnDFMN).

May 17, 2023 · 1 like · 11,544 followers View post →
Caroline Bowen, Speech-Language Pathologist
@speechwoman · X

Deficit, difference, or both? “It Defines Who I Am” or “It’s Something I Have”: What Language Do [#Autistic] Australian Adults [on the #Autism Spectrum] Prefer? https://t.co/CGRlGjr0rP @PamelaSnow2

Apr 7, 2023 · 1 like · 14,064 followers View post →
Miguel Lois
@mlmlois · X

https://t.co/LPfiZGR9Y1

May 15, 2022 · 1,247 followers View post →
Miguel Lois
@mlmlois · X

Bury, S. M., Jellett, R., Spoor, J. R., & Hedley, D. (2020). "It Defines Who I Am" or "It's Something I Have": What Language Do [Autistic] Australian Adults [on the Autism Spectrum] Prefer?. JADD, 10.1007/s10803-020-04425-3. Advance online publication. https://t.co/Xrs1rTH1al….

May 15, 2022 · 1 like · 1,247 followers View post →
Miguel Lois
@mlmlois · X

Bury, S. M., Jellett, R., Spoor, J. R., & Hedley, D. (2020). "It Defines Who I Am" or "It's Something I Have": What Language Do [Autistic] Australian Adults [on the Autism Spectrum] Prefer?. JADD, 10.1007/s10803-020-04425-3. Advance online publication. https://t.co/LPfiZGR9Y1.

May 15, 2022 · 1,247 followers View post →
K
@kiwi_raa · X

@MrsArcticride @autist333 @commaficionado Think it's this one but you'll need to email author/have institutional access to read https://t.co/OqVVk7f7OT

Apr 3, 2022 · 1 like · 107 followers View post →
cindy.finelli
@CindyFinelli · X

RT @drstevenkapp: Autistic people, neurodiversity supporters, friends, and ~relatives prefer identity-first language for autism. https://t.…

Apr 29, 2021 · 10 shares · 338 followers View post →
Siva priya Santhanam
@sivaps_s · X

RT @drstevenkapp: Autistic people, neurodiversity supporters, friends, and ~relatives prefer identity-first language for autism. https://t.…

Apr 28, 2021 · 10 shares · 174 followers View post →
Kristen Bottema-Beutel
@KristenBott · X

RT @drstevenkapp: Autistic people, neurodiversity supporters, friends, and ~relatives prefer identity-first language for autism. https://t.…

Apr 28, 2021 · 10 shares · 4,568 followers View post →
Rachel Rivera
@PsyRachelRivera · X

RT @drstevenkapp: Autistic people, neurodiversity supporters, friends, and ~relatives prefer identity-first language for autism. https://t.…

Apr 28, 2021 · 10 shares · 3,376 followers View post →
Ava Gurba (she/her)
@Ava_Nicole23 · X

RT @drstevenkapp: Autistic people, neurodiversity supporters, friends, and ~relatives prefer identity-first language for autism. https://t.…

Apr 28, 2021 · 10 shares · 2,252 followers View post →
Susie Hermaszewska
@susiehermi · X

RT @drstevenkapp: Autistic people, neurodiversity supporters, friends, and ~relatives prefer identity-first language for autism. https://t.…

Apr 28, 2021 · 10 shares · 217 followers View post →
Jemma Hill
@JemmaHill11 · X

RT @drstevenkapp: Autistic people, neurodiversity supporters, friends, and ~relatives prefer identity-first language for autism. https://t.…

Apr 28, 2021 · 10 shares · 269 followers View post →
Elaine Mcgreevy
@ElaineMcgreevy · X

RT @drstevenkapp: Autistic people, neurodiversity supporters, friends, and ~relatives prefer identity-first language for autism. https://t.…

Apr 28, 2021 · 10 shares · 4,345 followers View post →
Amy Pearson
@DrAmyPearson · X

RT @drstevenkapp: Autistic people, neurodiversity supporters, friends, and ~relatives prefer identity-first language for autism. https://t.…

Apr 28, 2021 · 10 shares · 7,583 followers View post →
Steven Kapp
@drstevenkapp · X

Autistic people, neurodiversity supporters, friends, and ~relatives prefer identity-first language for autism. https://t.co/vu1eLgJPzR https://t.co/mf24d5r8yO https://t.co/lHETl11HAN For related arguments see https://t.co/TtbloDR4jZ https://t.co/WHp7JiODlw https://t.co/encIMoYnVx https://t.co/4WVj5odSVd

Apr 28, 2021 · 38 likes · 10 shares · 7,604 followers View post →
Dr Diana Tan (she/her)
@dianawtan22 · X

RT @clinikids_au: First CliniKids Autism Research Journal Club for 2021! @dianawtan22 kicking us off with a great discussion on a recent Au…

Jan 20, 2021 · 2 shares · 640 followers View post →
CliniKids
@clinikids_au · X

First CliniKids Autism Research Journal Club for 2021! @dianawtan22 kicking us off with a great discussion on a recent Australian article by @zimon_b @OlgaTennison exploring preferences for identity and person first language in autism. Article here: https://t.co/voB8dFnG5w https://t.co/imtPkFXV5x

Jan 19, 2021 · 13 likes · 2 shares · 606 followers View post →
Dr Jo Billington
@MsJoBillington · X

@PilsonAnna Here are a couple of important papers in the autism literature that you might find interesting: https://t.co/PFNOOYTeML https://t.co/i5nrNuujlF

Nov 25, 2020 · 2 likes · 7,780 followers View post →
Karin Fox
@KarinFox · X

RT @PaulWhiteleyPhD: @Rogue_Soc_Psych @PAInquisitor Pardon my interruption. Latest science on this topic: https://t.co/T7jETBt3yW "Ranked-m…

Mar 10, 2020 · 1 share · 1,286 followers View post →
Paul Whiteley
@PaulWhiteleyPhD · X

@Rogue_Soc_Psych @PAInquisitor Pardon my interruption. Latest science on this topic: https://t.co/T7jETBt3yW "Ranked-means showed 'person on the autism spectrum' was the most preferred term overall." (N=198). Not everyone's cup 'o tea but for what it's worth...

Mar 10, 2020 · 2 likes · 1 share · 4,992 followers View post →
Ilse
@eternal_catbae · X

RT @kelseyperrykkad: 198 Australian adults with a diagnosis of autism chose ‘Autistic’, ‘Person on the Autism Spectrum’, and ‘Autistic Pers…

Mar 8, 2020 · 7 shares · 342 followers View post →
Bill J
@NeuroscienceUT · X

RT @kelseyperrykkad: 198 Australian adults with a diagnosis of autism chose ‘Autistic’, ‘Person on the Autism Spectrum’, and ‘Autistic Pers…

Mar 4, 2020 · 7 shares · 2,083 followers View post →
Carolyn Davison
@carolyn_guay · X

RT @kelseyperrykkad: 198 Australian adults with a diagnosis of autism chose ‘Autistic’, ‘Person on the Autism Spectrum’, and ‘Autistic Pers…

Mar 4, 2020 · 7 shares · 807 followers View post →
Jakob Hohwy
@hohwy · X

RT @kelseyperrykkad: 198 Australian adults with a diagnosis of autism chose ‘Autistic’, ‘Person on the Autism Spectrum’, and ‘Autistic Pers…

Mar 4, 2020 · 7 shares · 4,665 followers View post →
Anna Ciaunica @annaciaunica.bsky.social
@AnnaCiaunica · X

RT @kelseyperrykkad: 198 Australian adults with a diagnosis of autism chose ‘Autistic’, ‘Person on the Autism Spectrum’, and ‘Autistic Pers…

Mar 4, 2020 · 7 shares · 13,980 followers View post →
Dominika Radziun
@nikaradziun · X

RT @kelseyperrykkad: 198 Australian adults with a diagnosis of autism chose ‘Autistic’, ‘Person on the Autism Spectrum’, and ‘Autistic Pers…

Mar 4, 2020 · 7 shares · 1,863 followers View post →
Dimitris Bolis
@dimitrisbolis · X

RT @kelseyperrykkad: 198 Australian adults with a diagnosis of autism chose ‘Autistic’, ‘Person on the Autism Spectrum’, and ‘Autistic Pers…

Mar 3, 2020 · 7 shares · 3,149 followers View post →
Dr. Kelsey Perrykkad
@kelseyperrykkad · X

198 Australian adults with a diagnosis of autism chose ‘Autistic’, ‘Person on the Autism Spectrum’, and ‘Autistic Person’ as the most preferred terms. 'Person with ASC/ASD/autism' terms ranked the most offensive overall. Though not everyone agreed. https://t.co/o0KyaBC28Y

Mar 3, 2020 · 22 likes · 7 shares · 727 followers View post →
Rachel Jellett
@RachJPsych · X

Our new @OlgaTennison paper looks at preference for #identityfirst or #personfirst language in #autism see: https://t.co/4l2v6QWGvJ

Mar 1, 2020 · 1 like · 142 followers View post →
Dr Karen Bateson
@KarenJBateson · X

RT @PaulWhiteleyPhD: "Ranked-means showed 'person on the autism spectrum' was the most preferred term overall." https://t.co/T7jETBt3yW N=1…

Mar 1, 2020 · 1 share · 7,165 followers View post →
Paul Whiteley
@PaulWhiteleyPhD · X

"Ranked-means showed 'person on the autism spectrum' was the most preferred term overall." https://t.co/T7jETBt3yW N=198

Mar 1, 2020 · 5 likes · 1 share · 4,992 followers View post →
Marie Alkan
@Dr_MarieAlkan · X

RT @autismcrisis: Diagnosed autistic adults "who prefer person-first terms tend to perceive identity-first terms negatively, and vice versa…

Feb 29, 2020 · 14 shares · 273 followers View post →
I tweet anti-ND with Loud Hands
@autismgadfly · X

Wow! even the journal of autism and developmental disorders publishes this stuff about identity first versus person first, wonder if valuable issues will ever be discussed: https://t.co/VufQ9ISHrG

Feb 29, 2020 · 1 like · 1,870 followers View post →
Nick Fears
@NickFears · X

RT @autismcrisis: Diagnosed autistic adults "who prefer person-first terms tend to perceive identity-first terms negatively, and vice versa…

Feb 29, 2020 · 14 shares · 1,258 followers View post →
松よしこ
@yosicco · X

RT @autismcrisis: Diagnosed autistic adults "who prefer person-first terms tend to perceive identity-first terms negatively, and vice versa…

Feb 29, 2020 · 14 shares · 3,819 followers View post →
Dr.Heather MacKenzie
@DrHeatherMacKen · X

RT @autismcrisis: Diagnosed autistic adults "who prefer person-first terms tend to perceive identity-first terms negatively, and vice versa…

Feb 29, 2020 · 14 shares · 513 followers View post →
Anna Rebowska
@anna_rebowska · X

RT @autismcrisis: Diagnosed autistic adults "who prefer person-first terms tend to perceive identity-first terms negatively, and vice versa…

Feb 29, 2020 · 14 shares · 2,760 followers View post →
Action for ASD
@Action4ASD · X

https://t.co/7e3RVJMueo

Feb 29, 2020 · 5,423 followers View post →
Dr
@draevans · X

Some insist on “with autism” . Here is a silvery of #autistic ppl. https://t.co/Xo6uK3Zqdl

Feb 29, 2020 · 8,477 followers View post →
sarah o'brien
@SarahMarieOB · X

RT @autismcrisis: Diagnosed autistic adults "who prefer person-first terms tend to perceive identity-first terms negatively, and vice versa…

Feb 29, 2020 · 14 shares · 6,018 followers View post →
democracy4all
@CrAPwematter · X

RT @autismcrisis: Diagnosed autistic adults "who prefer person-first terms tend to perceive identity-first terms negatively, and vice versa…

Feb 28, 2020 · 14 shares · 1,979 followers View post →
Gabriela Neuber
@GabrielaNeuber · X

RT @autismcrisis: Diagnosed autistic adults "who prefer person-first terms tend to perceive identity-first terms negatively, and vice versa…

Feb 28, 2020 · 14 shares · 72 followers View post →
Michelle Dawson
@autismcrisis · X

Diagnosed autistic adults "who prefer person-first terms tend to perceive identity-first terms negatively, and vice versa"? https://t.co/f8Qr9iyFpO N=198 (age 18-71, N=58 males) Australian survey

Feb 28, 2020 · 30 likes · 14 shares · 9,275 followers View post →
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