To call them autistic or people with autism

[Whateverist]

Ill go out on a limb and say "people with autism."

It just seems more dignified and does not reduce a person to just one thing they have.

Saying "person with autism" seems otherizes them somewhat less, and perhaps might not validate mistreatment of them in the same way.

The same reason that "Jewish person" is better than "Jew."

As strange as this may sound, I'm happy with autism. It gives me a ability to think in ways that people find difficult.

This brings up an interesting point.  In the case of Dwarfism at least there seems to be quite a resistance to invitro treatments which can make a person with the 'disorder' taller.  Same goes with deafness.  In these two cases at least there is quite a sense of community amongst those affected.  

I believe there may actually be some who would feel reluctant to cut mania out of their lives.  Some people extoll the creativity and production of those affected.  While I doubt that anyone would lobby in favor of depression, there are some who feel it deepens one's humanity (something better appreciated in hindsight no doubt).

So in at least some conditions often viewed as disabilities there is reason to wonder if the person affected holds it as a disability or is to some degree proud instead.  For those who feel positively about the condition it might actually feel awkward and uncomfortable to be addressed in a manner that signifies you hold their condition to be negative.

I'm not ready to concede the debate to the PC'ers quite yet.