Identity-first language
Saying autistic child rather than child with autism. Many autistic people prefer it: being autistic is part of who they are.
Applies across the UK
There are two common ways to talk about autism Autism Autism is a difference in how the brain develops. It shapes how an autistic child sees and experiences the world, how they communicate, and how they respond to things like noise, light and touch. Read the full definition of Autism . Identity-first language says autistic child. Person-first language says child with autism. Both are used with good intentions, and professionals were often trained to use person-first, so you will hear both, sometimes in the same meeting.
Most autistic adults who have been asked, and the National Autistic Society, prefer identity-first language, on the grounds that autism shapes how a person experiences the world rather than being an add-on. That is the language we use throughout Assembly.
There is no test to pass here. As your child grows they may have their own preference, and their preference wins.
Other words for this
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You might hear person-first language
Person-first language says child with autism. Many professionals were trained to use it and some families prefer it. Most autistic adults prefer identity-first, autistic child, and we follow that preference. What matters most is what your child and family prefer.
Where this comes from
- How to talk and write about autism , National Autistic Society. Checked 2026-08-15.
Your child doesn't need a diagnosis to get support
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