{"id":248,"date":"2026-07-23T17:39:47","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T17:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.kyaca.org\/?page_id=248"},"modified":"2026-08-12T18:23:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T18:23:11","slug":"about-autism","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dev.kyaca.org\/index.php\/learn\/about-autism\/","title":{"rendered":"About Autism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Autism?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Autism is a difference in how a person\u2019s brain works and experiences the world. It can affect communication, sensory experiences, learning styles, and daily life. There is not just one definition of autism. Some definitions come from medical or diagnostic systems, while others come from Autistic people and focus on lived experience and identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ways Autism is Defined and Understood<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Autism is described in different ways by autistic people, families, researchers, healthcare professionals, advocacy groups, and government agencies. Some definitions are used for diagnosis or services. Others focus on lived experience, identity, strengths, challenges, or support needs. This section explains these different views in clear and respectful language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Explore Definitions of Autism<\/strong><\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/reframingautism.org.au\/about-autism\/\">Reframing Autism<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk\/understanding-autism\/about-autism\/what-is-autism\">Ambitious About Autism<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/topics\/autism-spectrum-disorder\">American Psychological Association<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.autism.org.uk\/advice-and-guidance\/diagnosis\/assessment-and-diagnosis\/criteria-and-tools-used-in-an-autism-assessment#DSM-5%20criteria%20for%20autism\">National Autistic Society<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.legislature.ky.gov\/law\/statutes\/statute.aspx?id=4519\">Kentucky Legislative Research Commission<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/autisticadvocacy.org\/about-asan\/about-autism\/\">Autistic Self Advocacy Network<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Autism and Disability Language<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Words matter. The language people use can shape whether someone feels respected, understood, and included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Autistic people and families may use different words to talk about autism and disability. Some people prefer <strong>\u201cAutistic person.\u201d<\/strong> Others prefer <strong>\u201cperson with autism.\u201d<\/strong> Some people use both. There is no single choice that fits everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">KYACA respects each person\u2019s right to choose the words used to describe them. When you do not know someone\u2019s preference, it is okay to ask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Language also changes over time. Some terms that were once common may now feel outdated, harmful, or inaccurate. This section explains common words about autism and disability, why different people may use them, and how to communicate in respectful and welcoming ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">KYACA works to build a community where Autistic people have choice, voice, and power in their own lives. We also value the knowledge, care, and experiences of parents, caregivers, families, and supporters. By listening to one another, we can create spaces where more people feel safe, respected, and understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Disability Terms<\/strong><\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/about\/apa\/equity-diversity-inclusion\/language-guidelines\">APA Inclusive Language Guidelines<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/reframingautism.org.au\/service\/glossary-terms\/\">Reframing Autism Glossary<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thinkingautismguide.com\/neurodiversity-faq\">Neurodiversity FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is Autism? Autism is a difference in how a person\u2019s brain works and experiences the world. It can affect communication, sensory experiences, learning styles, and daily life. There is not just one definition of autism. Some definitions come from medical or diagnostic systems, while others come from Autistic people and focus on lived experience [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":17,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-248","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.kyaca.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.kyaca.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.kyaca.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.kyaca.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.kyaca.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=248"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/dev.kyaca.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":267,"href":"https:\/\/dev.kyaca.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/248\/revisions\/267"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.kyaca.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.kyaca.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}