Autism Means Self, and the Word Predates the Diagnosis
Autism is a developmental difference affecting communication and perception. The word was coined for something else entirely.
Autism is a lifelong developmental difference affecting communication, social interaction and sensory processing. The word was coined in 1911 by the Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler from Greek *autos*, self, to describe withdrawal in schizophrenia. It was borrowed for its present meaning in the 1940s, and the older use has since disappeared.
- A developmental difference. *A diagnosis of autism.*
- Autistic — having autism. *An autistic adult.*
- Autism spectrum — the range of presentations. *On the autism spectrum.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | autism | Understanding autism. |
| Adjective | autistic | Autistic people. |
| Noun | autistic | She is autistic. |
| Compound | spectrum | The autism spectrum. |
| Related | neurodivergent | Neurodivergent students. |
How it is used in a sentence
- Many autistic people prefer identity-first language.That is, autistic person rather than person with autism.
- Sensory sensitivity is common.A widely reported feature.
- The spectrum is not a line from mild to severe.It describes varied profiles of strengths and difficulties.
Language people use
- Identity-first — autistic person; preferred by many autistic adults and advocacy groups
- Person-first — person with autism; long standard in clinical writing
- Neurodivergent — a broader term covering several conditions
- On the spectrum — common but sometimes used loosely as a joke, which many find offensive
- Ask — individual preferences vary, and asking is the reliable approach
Coined in 1911 from Greek *autos*, self, plus the suffix *-ism*. The modern sense dates from the descriptions published by Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger in the 1940s.
Autistic person or person with autism?
Surveys of autistic adults show a strong preference for identity-first language. Clinical writing often uses person-first. Where possible, follow the individual's own preference.
Is the spectrum a scale from mild to severe?
No. It describes a range of different profiles. Someone may need substantial support in one area and none in another.