Words for describing autism. What terms should be used when you talk about autism and why?
Flavia Caretto, Pietro Cirrincione
This article takes many different contexts into consideration — the public context, the media, specialist literature, professional language, everyday language and the language of the people involved — in order to support the idea that the way you speak about autism determines inclusion or marginalisation. From a social point of view, it has a bearing on social and economic policies, and, from the point of view of those involved, it determines the way in which the issue is personally faced and the way people feel and behave in relation to their autism and others’ autism. We are putting forward a suggestion for the adoption of language which is acceptable, appropriate and respectful.
Keywords
Autism, condition, acceptable language, social representation.
