Avoiding ableist language: suggestions for autism researchers

Added on 26/09/2024

Type de contenu

Journal article of the type Commentary ( ; english)

Kristen Bottema-Beutel , Steven Kapp * , Jessica Lester , Noah Sasson , Brittany Hand
Avoiding ableist language: suggestions for autism researchers published in the journal "Autism in adulthood" n°1, vol.3, 12 pages , doi: 10.1089/aut.2020.0014

*One co-author has publicly identified as autistic. [Learn more about this mention]

- 8% of authors cited in the bibliography of this resource have publicly identified as autistic (18 out of 227 authors).
- 21% of references cited in this resource contain at least one author who has publicly identified as autistic (18 out of 85 references).

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Summary/Presentation

In this commentary, we describe how language used to communicate about autism within much of autism research can reflect and perpetuate ableist ideologies (i.e., beliefs and practices that discriminate against people with disabilities), whether or not researchers intend to have such effects. Drawing largely from autistic scholarship on this subject, along with research and theory from disability studies and discourse analysis, we define ableism and its realization in linguistic practices, provide a historical overview of ableist language used to describe autism, and review calls from autistic researchers and laypeople to adopt alternative ways of speaking and writing. Finally, we provide several specific avenues to aid autism researchers in reflecting on and adjusting their language choices.

For your information:

(1) References in blue are resources listed on our site.

(2) Authors listed in this bibliography whose names are in color have published other resources referenced on the site. Clicking on the name allows you to see the list of resources they have published and shared on the site.

(3) Authors whose names are followed by an asterisk have publicly disclosed being autistic.

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