Language is never neutral, particularly when it is used to describe people whose lives are already shaped by misunderstanding and assumption. In this episode of The William Gomes Podcast, William reflects on how the language surrounding autism influences identity, dignity and public understanding.
Rather than treating words as technical choices, the episode approaches language as an ethical concern. William explores how commonly used terms shape how autistic people are perceived and how they understand themselves. The discussion moves carefully through identity-first and person-first language, not as a matter of correctness, but as an expression of values, power and lived experience.
The episode also examines the continued reliance on functioning labels and the damage they can quietly cause. These labels, often presented as practical or descriptive, are shown to reduce complexity and distort support needs. By questioning why such language persists, William invites listeners to reconsider habits of speech that are rarely examined yet deeply consequential.
What gives this episode its depth is its attentiveness to autistic perspectives and everyday realities. The focus remains on respect, autonomy and clarity, avoiding sentimentality or simplification. Language is presented as something that must be handled with care, recognising its ability to either affirm humanity or undermine it.
This is a reflective and grounded episode that asks listeners to listen more closely, not only to how autism is discussed, but to what those discussions reveal about social attitudes and responsibility. It offers thoughtful consideration rather than easy answers, and encourages a more careful relationship with words that shape real lives.
Listen to the Episode
Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-william-gomes-podcast/id1582677051?i=1000743675728
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4da9DJr2CEUAkIwVhyU8Np?si=8ed82cd261194a0e
