Yes My Autism Does Define Me

This is a post I’ve meant to write for a while, but now seems the right time to share it. 

You hear a lot of ‘Your disability doesn’t define you’ and ‘You’re more than just your autism.’ 

An outsider might see that as a compliment, but it doesn’t reflect my lived experience. 

The thing is the intensity of my interests comes from my autism, that is part of what makes Sarah…well, Sarah.

I have also made some incredible friendships with other autistic people, through our shared lived experience, that is also a part of my identity. 

Yes, there are many things I am too like a sister, daughter, cat mum, a swimmer, University graduate, educator etc.

But autism is part of who I am; you cannot separate it; otherwise, the real me would not exist. 

Autism is not an accessory I possess; it’s one of the many parts that is integrated into my whole being. That is why I prefer identity-first language.

If you say ‘Sarah has autism’ it implies I am separate from my autism. Also, the same lexicon is used to describe a disease. For example, it’s like saying ‘Sarah has cancer’ (I don’t have cancer, I’m just using it as an example).

Autism is not a death sentence or a life-limiting illness. It’s a neurological difference. 

When I was diagnosed, I was told that I needed treatment for my anxiety, not autism. 

Some autistic people prefer person-first language, which should be respected, but it does not reflect my reality. 

The ironic thing is when people say or imply ‘Your autism doesn’t define you’; I had no sense of identity until I discovered my autism. I felt lost as a person, but I don’t anymore since having a better understanding of my neurodivergence. 

I am autistic, it does define me, but it’s not the only thing that defines me.

And no, I don’t see my autism as an inherently negative thing.

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