What is Autistic Culture? Understanding the World Through a Different Lens (Part 2)
Introduction
This is part 2 of a series introducing Autistic culture. Part 1 defined Autistic culture, explained where it came from, and gave an overview of the core values and norms in Autistic culture. Here in part 2, I will go over the language and symbols associated with Autistic culture, including vocabulary specific to the community, a discussion of whether you should say “person with autism” or “Autistic person,” and why the rainbow infinity symbol is preferred over the puzzle piece. In addition, this post will address individual variation in experiencing Autistic culture, and explain why Autistic culture matters.
Language and Symbols
As with any group, the Autistic community has specific preferred language and symbols. This section defines some of the most common terms used within the Autistic community. Next, it introduces person-first (person with autism) versus identity-first (Autistic person) language, and how to decide whether to capitalize Autism. Finally, this section covers the symbols that Autistic people use to represent themselves.
Vocabulary from the Autistic Community
Here are some common terms used in the Autistic community:
Neurodivergent - People whose brains work differently than the majority. Examples include Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette’s, and Down Syndrome. Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar are also sometimes considered neurodivergent.
Neurotypical - People who have experienced typical neurological development. The world is generally designed to support people whose brains work this way, as they make up the majority of the population.
Allistic - Someone who is not Autistic. Although allistic is often used interchangeably with neurotypical, it is possible to be allistic but not neurotypical. For example, an individual who has ADHD but not Autism would be allistic and neurodivergent.
Masking - When a neurodivergent person hides their differences and attempts to act like a neurotypical. Masking can help neurodivergent individuals survive in the world, but long term masking often takes a heavy psychological toll.
Unmasking - The opposite of masking, where a neurodivergent individual fully expresses their neurodivergent traits. For many neurodivergent individuals, unmasking is intentionally learned for the sake of authentic self-expression and improved mental health. Unmasking is encouraged (but never forced) within neurodivergent-affirming spaces.
Spoons - A unit of energy, originally from Spoon Theory, used in many disability and chronic illness spaces to describe one’s capacity to do things. Spoons refer not only to physical energy, but also many other categories such as mental, social, or sensory capacity.
Spoon Theory - An energy management system frequently used in disability and chronic illness spaces. While nondisabled people generally have many spoons (lots of energy), disabled people often have a very limited amount of spoons and need to ration them carefully to avoid burnout.
Autistic Burnout - A state of deep, persistent exhaustion due to the chronic stress of life as a neurodivergent individual. Masking, sensory overload, social demands, and lack of accommodations all contribute to Autistic burnout. Unlike occupational burnout, which mostly affects work performance and resolves with rest and improved work-life balance, Autistic burnout impacts all areas of a person’s life and often requires months or years of recovery. Signs of Autistic burnout include increased sensory sensitivity, reduced capacity to complete activities of daily living, skill regression, and profound exhaustion that does not readily improve with rest.
Person-First vs Identity-First Language
When referring to someone, should you call them a “person with autism” (person-first), or an “Autistic person” (identity-first)? In the Autistic community, most people prefer identity-first language (“Autistic person”). Individual preferences may vary, and you’re always welcome to ask someone what they prefer. However, using identity-first language is generally a safe default, and is preferred in neurodivergent-affirming content.
To understand why the Autistic community prefers identity-first language, let’s first take a look at person-first language. Person-first language (“person with autism”) puts the person first, intending to emphasize their humanity over their condition. While well-intentioned, this approach paints Autism as something undesirable and incidental to the person, rather than a core part of their identity. However, being Autistic isn’t like having an extra finger, which could be removed without affecting who that person is. To remove a person’s Autism would be to fundamentally change them. In fact, many Autistic people can’t even imagine themselves as neurotypicals. The rise of neurodivergent-affirming spaces has allowed more people to embrace their Autistic selves, and the community preference for identity-first language (“Autistic person”) reflects this rise in Autistic pride.
Autism or autism?
You may have noticed that throughout both of these posts, I have generally capitalized Autism. This is an intentional decision, as “Autism” and “autism” mean different things. Lowercase autism refers to autism as a medical condition, while uppercase Autism refers to Autism as a culture and identity. One of the few times I use lowercase autism is in the phrase “person with autism,” because person-first language separates the person from a particular trait or medical condition. In contrast, I use uppercase Autism in the phrase “Autistic person,” because identity-first language emphasizes Autism as a core identity trait. Because this blog focuses on Autism as an identity, I will generally default to uppercase Autism, unless there’s a specific reason to use lowercase.
To further clarify the difference between Autism and autism, consider an analogous situation in Deaf culture. The Deaf community has a rich culture and strong sense of identity. However, not every person who cannot hear is a part of that culture or community. To distinguish the two, lowercase deaf refers to the medical condition of being unable to hear, while uppercase Deaf refers to a community identity built around a shared lived experience. So, a deaf person is someone who cannot hear, but whose social identity is rooted in the hearing community. In contrast, a Deaf person is someone who identifies with the Deaf community, and sees their Deafness as a core part of their identity. In a similar way, uppercase Autism emphasizes a person’s connection to the Autistic community, while lowercase autism implies a medical condition unrelated to identity or community.
Symbols of Autism
Many people are familiar with the puzzle piece as a symbol for Autism. However, the Autistic community has generally rejected the puzzle piece, with many Autistic people finding it offensive. The symbol itself is problematic because it suggests that Autistic people are inherently confusing and a problem to be solved, rather than a natural part of human diversity that should be accepted. Many Autistic people also find the puzzle piece reminiscent of their lifelong struggle to fit in, including all the pain and trauma they’ve endured because of their differences. However, perhaps the biggest reason the Autistic community rejects the puzzle piece is because of its association with Autism Speaks, a charity notorious for spreading ableist beliefs and treating Autistic people as less than human. Because of this, many see the puzzle piece as a symbol of the abuse and ableism that is inflicted upon Autistic people.
Currently, the Autistic community widely recognizes the rainbow infinity symbol to represent neurodiversity. The rainbow symbolizes diversity in how brains work, recognizing both the variety of neurotypes and the many presentations within a single neurotype. The multiple colors show that there’s no one right way to think, but rather that diverse ways of thinking can coexist and create something beautiful. For an Autism-specific symbol, the rainbow can be replaced with gold, because the chemical abbreviation for gold is Au, which is also the first two letters of Autism.
The infinity symbol represents limitlessness: the infinite variations of human brains, and the infinite potential of those brains to thrive when properly supported and accommodated. It also suggests continuity, emphasizing that neurodivergence is a lifelong way of being, not just a temporary state or phase in life. Additionally, the infinity sign symbolizes neurodivergence as a natural, permanent part of humanity, not a passing fad or trend.
Autistic Culture Isn’t Monolithic
It’s worth noting that not all Autistic people will relate to Autistic culture, and that’s okay. Autism is a spectrum that presents differently in different people, so it’s natural for people to have diverse experiences. Add in the complexities of early or late diagnosis, heavy masking, social pressures, trauma, and cultural differences (race, class, gender, language) across Autistic individuals, and it’s no wonder not everyone relates to all of Autistic culture. Some Autistic people might not feel any connection to the community at all. All of these experiences are perfectly acceptable, and the existence and recognition of one doesn’t invalidate any of the others. It just shows the diversity of Autistic experiences and perspectives, which is something to be celebrated.
That said, recognizing and discussing the major parts of Autistic culture can help people find belonging and validation. So please take this post as an invitation to learn more about Autistic culture, while keeping in mind that not everyone will relate to everything described here. And, as with any online content, feel free to take what serves you and leave the rest.
Why Recognizing Autistic Culture Matters
Whether you’re Autistic or not, you may be wondering why all this matters. How does learning about Autistic culture actually help anyone?
For Autistic people, learning about Autistic culture can help improve self-understanding, combat internalized ableism, and increase connection with others. A deeper understanding of Autism can improve your own self-understanding, which can help you find coping strategies that meet your specific needs. Furthermore, recognizing Autism as a difference rather than a deficit can reduce internalized ableism. You’re not broken or wrong, just different. This change in perspective shifts the focus from “fixing” yourself (extremely difficult and traumatizing) to accommodating yourself as you engage with the world. In addition, engaging with the Autistic community can help you connect with others who have similar communication styles and lived experiences.
For allistics (non-Autistic people), learning about Autistic culture helps you be an effective ally. Whether there’s a specific person you want to support, you want your school or workplace to be more neuroinclusive, or you simply value diverse perspectives, recognizing Autistic culture can help you accomplish these goals. Understanding the reason behind Autistic behaviors allows parents and educators to provide appropriate and compassionate support, shifting the focus from “correcting” behavior to meeting needs. In social settings, familiarity with Autistic culture can facilitate cross-neurotype communication and reduce misunderstandings. In general, understanding Autistic values helps allies be more respectful, supportive, and effective by ensuring that they’re working on the goals that are most important to Autistic people.
Conclusion
Although Autism was originally defined as a medical disorder, the neurodiversity-affirming movement has grown in recent years, embracing Autistic ways of being as a difference rather than a deficit. As a result, Autistic communities have formed, creating a rich and unique culture. In a world designed by and for neurotypicals, engaging with Autistic culture can give Autistic people a much-needed sense of connection and belonging. In addition, learning about Autistic culture can help allies better support Autistic individuals.
You can learn more about Autistic culture by reading part 1 of this series, if you haven’t already. In addition, future posts will further explore various aspects of Autistic culture. In the meantime, I encourage you to learn more on your own. Unmasking Autism by Devon Price provides an excellent introduction to Autistic pride and unmasking. If you are a woman or minority, I would suggest looking up information specific to your situation. For example, you might search for “Autism in women” or “female Autism.” If you suspect you’re high-masking, look for “high-masking Autism.” To connect with Autistic people locally, look for groups run by and for Autistic people. Alternately, there are an abundance of Autistic groups in online spaces such as Facebook, Reddit, or Discord.
However you choose to move forward, I hope you find people you can relate to and spaces where you feel like you belong.