Inclusive Teaching, Reflections and Case Studies

“Autistic” vs. “People with Autism”

Posted by TaLIC on

Case study designed with contributions from Dr Debbie Custance (Academic Director of TaLIC)

Picture 1 shows a teacher and a student in a classroom setting. Teacher says: People with autism perceive the world differently to other people
Teacher: People with autism perceive the world differently to other people
In picture 2 the student responds to the teacher in an unhappy voice: I'm autistic, not a person with autism.
Student: I’m autistic, not a person with autism.
National Autistic Society quote: “If you are autistic, you are autistic for life; autism is not an illness or disease and cannot be ‘cured’. Often people feel being autistic is a fundamental aspect of their identity.” Student: Yep!

SCRIPT BEGINS.

Teacher says: People with autism perceive the world differently to other people.

Student responds in an unhappy voice: I’m autistic, not a person with autism.

A quote from the National Autistic Society is displayed. The quote says:  “If you are autistic, you are autistic for life; autism is not an illness or disease and cannot be ‘cured’. Often people feel being autistic is a fundamental aspect of their identity.”

Student responds: Yep!

SCRIPT ENDS.

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