How should I refer to autistic people?
That depends on the autistic individual.
Some prefer what’s known as person-first language — ‘person on the autism spectrum’ — since they feel that emphasises that they are a person, rather than just a condition. Others in the autistic community prefer identity-first language — ‘autistic person’ — since they feel that their autism is an integral part of who they are. A lot of autistics don’t have a specific preference, or prefer to say they are ‘on the spectrum’ or ‘neurodiverse’.
It is best practice to check with the individual what terminology an individual prefers and use that, or wait until they tell you.
