I’d like to start off by saying I have autism.
Many people - autistic and otherwise - have debated whether to refer to us as autistic people, or people with autism.
I’m aware that some people with autism prefer the former description, autistic people. Personally, I don’t mind either description. I’d guess most of us aren’t that bothered, although I don’t know for sure.
That being said, the latter description, people with autism, is widely considered to be more politically correct.
Neurotypical people will visit this community, and we don’t want to offend them by using the incorrect term to describe ourselves.
/s, by the way. Never let an NT tell you what to call yourself.
Autsim is not an accessory or something that can disappear. It is a fundamental part of who we are, at least in my book. (others may disagree, but I met more autistic people who agree with this.)
I tried to imagine myself as non-autistic, and I just couldn’t. I love my special interests, and my passion for learning. My literalness has given me a great sense of humor. What would I be without them? A different person, and probably a very boring one.
You can’t untangle the person from autism. Autism is how my brain is wired. It does affect my personality because of that, and I get so mad (and fad for the kid!) at the same time when I hear parents talk about their real kid being trapped inside the autism cage or whatever word they use. Those parents will never be able to see their kid for who they are, they will always see them as deficient compared to who they imagined their kid to be.