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Kristen Bottema-Beutel, Steven K. Kapp, Jessica Nina Lester, Noah J. Sasson, Brittany N. Hand
(2021).
Avoiding Ableist Language: Suggestions for Autism Researchers.
Autism in Adulthood, 3(1), 18-29.
SAGE Publications.
- Publication date
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18 Mar 2021
- Identifier
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10.1089/aut.2020.0014
- Authors
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Kristen Bottema-Beutel,
Steven K. Kapp,
Jessica Nina Lester,
Noah J. Sasson,
Brittany N. Hand
- Source
- Autism in Adulthood
- Details
- 3(1), 18-29
- Reference type
- article
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Metadata source
- crossref
Abstract
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.
Study authors in this cited reference