What term can we use for disorders besides ASD?

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Joe90
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08 Jan 2015, 11:52 am

When explaining in depth on WP about different conditions like Down's Syndrome, Fragile-X Syndrome, learning difficulties, mental retardation, ADHD, Autism, etc etc etc, sometimes I never know which words to use. When I just say NT (meaning a person with no neurological differences) and ASD, posters then point out to me that there are other neurological conditions besides ASD, which I agree. But it's kind of annoying having to keep putting ''people with ASDs or other neurological disorders'' every time I'm trying to explain about people that aren't exactly NT, but I don't like to use the term ''normal'' as opposed to people without any disabilities because then some people get offended by that too. It feels inaccurate to call all non-ASD people as NTs because a person can have a lifelong condition that affects behaviour and learning but not necessarily be an ASD.

Also different people have different ways of calling ASDs; some people think of it as a disability, others think of it as a condition, and others think of it as a difference. So that usually gets pointed out to me too. I tried calling all neurological conditions ''disorders'', but then somebody got offended because they didn't think AS or Autism is a disorder, even though the overall term for Autism and AS is ''Autism Spectrum Disorder''.

So if we wanted to make a point without making it look like an ''NTs vs Aspies'' thing, what could be a more accurate term to use when covering all disabilities?

Aspie/Autistic = a person that displays behavioral or cognitive signs that are on the Autism spectrum

?* = a person with a neurological condition that differentiates their behaviour, cognitive behaviour, intellectual development, and other functions, that can noticeably separate that person from the supposed ''norm''. Or somebody with a disease that affects the brain, like Dementia and Alzheimer's.

NT = none of the above

*What I'm trying to ask is, to avoid confusion or offenses, is there a term coined to use for where I put the bold question mark, as the whole population is not just split into ''typical people'' and ''Aspies''. That's a bit like splitting the world up into just British people and American people.
This is probably the most intelligent post I have ever done, so I hope this doesn't end up in an argument or anything. I was just wondering if there was a sort of ''name'' for those that aren't AS or NT.


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08 Jan 2015, 6:16 pm

Maybe ND for neurodiverse



kraftiekortie
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08 Jan 2015, 6:29 pm

Certainly not "ret*d."



kraftiekortie
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08 Jan 2015, 7:04 pm

If somebody REALLY good at something, you could call that person a "savant" in that something.



naturalplastic
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08 Jan 2015, 7:42 pm

1) autism spectrum disorders ARE disorders. So just call them that. If folks are offended then thats their problem.

2) I use "neurotypical" to mean non ASD people. But admit that it is a vague catch-all. If the term bothers you then just call non ASD people "non ASD people".

"ASD people", and "non ASD people". Simple, and EZ.

And don't worry so much about it.

All of us ASD people have been called 'ret*ds', and 'sickos', all of our lives. So being told that you have either a "condition", or a "disorder"-is a step UP. Not a step down. Either step up is fine with me. Worrying about whether its a "condition", or a "disorder"(as if there were even a practical difference) is like worrying about what color your parachute, or your life preserver, is. Kinda stupid.



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08 Jan 2015, 7:46 pm

We can divide people into two groups: "Us" and "Them".

Organized religion has been doing the same thing for centuries ...


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mickey-elle
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08 Jan 2015, 7:55 pm

You could say "non-NT" or neurodiverse. "Autistic cousin" (AC) is an older term I've heard people try to bring back that refers to non-NT people that may have some autistic traits, but aren't necessarily autistic.



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09 Jan 2015, 12:16 am

Neurodiverse


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Ganondox
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09 Jan 2015, 12:45 am

Fnord wrote:
Organized religion has been doing the same thing for centuries ...


ANY group of people has been doing the same thing for centuries.


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Campin_Cat
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09 Jan 2015, 4:43 pm

ND - Neurodiverse













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