WE ROAR Magazine issue 04 - Magazine - Page 30
I like to describe myself as 8AuDHD9, which is identity-first language,
because Autistic and ADHD to me are neutral adjectives, and I see no issue
with making them part of my identity. However, when I refer to my
complex PTSD, I prefer person-first language. I call myself an 8AuDHDer,9
but I am not a 8C-PTSDer9. I am AuDHD, but I have C-PTSD. Often, I don9t
mind either way; I have blonde hair, or I am a blonde, and that makes no
difference to me (although I could change my hair colour, not my
neurotype).
I might say 8I have autism9, or 8I am on the autistic spectrum9, but I would
never say 8person with…9 because 8I am a person with blonde hair9 sounds
clunky and unnecessary. It should just go without saying that I am a person,
I should not have to labour the point to remind people. I really dislike the
term 8neurodiverse individuals9 preferring 8neurodivergent people9.
I respect other people preferences when describing themselves, but I can
get stroppy if they try to tell me how I must describe myself, for example
one well-meaning but misguided person who left this comment on one of
my LinkedIn posts being autistic and bisexual,
