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APA guidelines still recommend person-first language for writing about autism but I am trying to use identity-first nearly all the time now.
We had a positive experience with a journal which I thought I’d share.
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We had a positive experience with a journal which I thought I’d share.
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The journal originally changed all our identify-first language to person-first language, and cited the fact that person-first language is "consistent with APA style”
We replied with the following text and citations:
We replied with the following text and citations:
“The APA guidelines are not in line with the latest evidence, which shows that “autistic people” is the single most frequently selected language option amongst the autistic community... https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1362361315588200
...and that person-first language reinforces negative stereotypes about autism. https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcpp.12706
The Editors might also like to note that a recent editorial in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders which defended continued use of person-first language... https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-019-04280-x
... was roundly critiqued in the autistic community, culminating in this response advocating for identity-first language. We are keen to avoid this.” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342451316_Does_language_matter_Identity-first_versus_person-first_language_use_in_autism_research_A_response_to_Vivanti
Success!
Our journal got back to us almost immediately, saying "I certainly didn’t know that, but I’m glad I do now.” and the information was shared with the other Managing Editors of the journal.
Our journal got back to us almost immediately, saying "I certainly didn’t know that, but I’m glad I do now.” and the information was shared with the other Managing Editors of the journal.
So, hopefully this provides some sample text you might also be able to use if you want to push for identity-first language in an article.
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This has been shared quite widely so I want to add a couple of post scripts.
First, if we had it at the time I am sure we would have also signposted recent work by @KristenBott @Noahsasson @drstevenkapp and others on the topic of ableist language
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2020.0014
First, if we had it at the time I am sure we would have also signposted recent work by @KristenBott @Noahsasson @drstevenkapp and others on the topic of ableist language
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/aut.2020.0014
Second I want to be up front that I have not been (and am still not) the best example of a commitment to IFL. I still have close links with some people with autism (wording chosen for a reason) who prefer PFL and I am not a leading light in the IFL movement...
... so I just want to be honest about that, so no-one holds me up as a hero, or a hypocrite.
Please look to @ObservatoriumF or @SoniaBoue (+ many many more) for leadership in that arena
And thank you to all my autistic colleagues for your continued patience & support
Please look to @ObservatoriumF or @SoniaBoue (+ many many more) for leadership in that arena
And thank you to all my autistic colleagues for your continued patience & support
Correction:
A few people have informed me that the latest APA 7 guidelines allow for both identity first and person first language.
Nonetheless in the case described above APA guidelines were initially invoked by the journal as the reason for “correcting” our IFL to PFL.
A few people have informed me that the latest APA 7 guidelines allow for both identity first and person first language.
Nonetheless in the case described above APA guidelines were initially invoked by the journal as the reason for “correcting” our IFL to PFL.
