Ryan Boren

A common occurrence on Twitter is for autistic and disabled people—who overwhelmingly use identity-first language—to be told by folks outside the community that we must use person-first language. We get corrected all the time, and attempts to educate folks about IFL often go badly.

Here’s a refreshing exception:

This is the kind of support we need from professional allies.
Enquiring, respectful, willing to learn from us, willing to pass on the message.
Parents have learned to use PFL from professionals, who were in turn taught by those before them. This is changing.
Thanks @doc_bipolar https://t.co/RJs0Ffji7f

— Mary Doherty (@AutisticDoctor) July 18, 2020

This is the kind of respect and advocacy we need from educators, healthcare workers, and others who have been trained to use and promote person-first language without regard to community and personal preferences.

I replied to the thread with my survey of neurodiversity and disability community writing on identity-first language:

Thank you.

This piece collects neurodiversity and disability community writing on identity-first language.https://t.co/AGq5klQNA9

— Ryan Boren (@rboren) July 18, 2020