The term “identified” is used as an insult, particularly when referring to transgender people, to imply that they aren’t really correct. I don’t think it’s appropriate to use that in the context of autism, because many of the people who do believe themselves to be autistic do go on to get professionally diagnosed. I became interested about 20 years ago in the possibility that I may be autistic, as I met all of the criteria, but only recently did I actually get the resources to pay for a diagnosis. It cost me nearly $3500.
The problem is that self-diagnosis IS valid, when it is valid, and is not valid, when it is not valid.
The term “identified” is used as an insult, particularly when referring to transgender people,
I haven’t heard that before. Is the current progressive trend to avoid using the term “identify” entirely? If so, let’s say I was completing an interview, and I needed to ask someone what ethnicity(ies) they identify with, how would I ask that?
It varies in practice. Most people I see using identify, including many trans people, are well-intentioned and think it’s the preferred polite language without thinking too hard on the implications of it.
However there are definitely anti-trans people who will use it pejoratively, which I presume is where that wording originated.
The term “identified” is used as an insult, particularly when referring to transgender people, to imply that they aren’t really correct. I don’t think it’s appropriate to use that in the context of autism, because many of the people who do believe themselves to be autistic do go on to get professionally diagnosed. I became interested about 20 years ago in the possibility that I may be autistic, as I met all of the criteria, but only recently did I actually get the resources to pay for a diagnosis. It cost me nearly $3500.
The problem is that self-diagnosis IS valid, when it is valid, and is not valid, when it is not valid.
I haven’t heard that before. Is the current progressive trend to avoid using the term “identify” entirely? If so, let’s say I was completing an interview, and I needed to ask someone what ethnicity(ies) they identify with, how would I ask that?
It varies in practice. Most people I see using identify, including many trans people, are well-intentioned and think it’s the preferred polite language without thinking too hard on the implications of it.
However there are definitely anti-trans people who will use it pejoratively, which I presume is where that wording originated.
“What is your ethnicity?”
“Hispanic”