More Than a Label: Why a Diagnosis Doesn’t Define a Person

A diagnosis is just one piece of a person’s story. It is not their whole identity.

Yet, in recent years, there has been a rise in people using labels like “my autistic child” or “my bipolar friend.” While it may seem like a small detail, language shapes perception. When we define someone first by their diagnosis, we risk reducing them to that label instead of recognizing them as a whole person.

The Power of Language:

Language influences how we see the world and how others see themselves. When a diagnosis is placed front and centre, it can unintentionally box someone in.

For example:

🚫 “My autistic client loves music.”

✅ “My client has autism and loves music.”

🚫 “I'm bipolar.”

✅ “I have bipolar disorder.”

That slight shift keeps the person at the forefront. It acknowledges their diagnosis while emphasizing that they are more than just a medical term.

Why This Matters:

✔ It protects autonomy. People should have the right to define their own identities. If a child is constantly called “my autistic son,” they may internalize that as their entire identity before they even get to decide how they see themselves.

✔ It removes barriers. When a diagnosis is the first thing people hear, it can create assumptions and biases, even if unintended.

✔ It shifts focus to the person. A diagnosis may explain certain traits, challenges, or strengths, but it does not tell you who someone is.

A Lesson That Stuck with Me:

Back in the 2000s, one of my very first college instructors said something that has stayed with me for years: "A person is not their diagnosis. They are their own individual self." Out of all the schooling I have done in CYW, CSW, and policing, this is the one lesson that truly stuck. It shaped how I view and interact with people in a way that goes beyond textbooks and policies.

The Trend That Bothers Me:

I understand that some communities, like many in the autism advocacy space, prefer identity-first language (“autistic person”). That is their choice, and self-identification is important.

What bothers me is when parents and professionals impose identity-first language on someone else without giving them the space to decide how they want to be seen.

This is not about policing language. It is about being intentional. People deserve the autonomy to define themselves rather than having labels placed on them from childhood.

Final Thoughts: 

A person is so much more than their diagnosis. Their interests, strengths, and passions make them who they are, not just the label society gives them.

Before describing someone, ask yourself:

➡ Am I leading with their humanity, or am I leading with their diagnosis?

People deserve to be seen for who they are, not just the labels placed on them.