Call for a deletion of a word from existence

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I must not talk to the right people.

I sometimes use the made-up term "Asperger's autism". This combination term informs people that their autism stereotypes may not apply since it's not the generic autism label they're used to hearing. For those who have never heard of AS, it introduces the word "Asperger" with some context so that I don't get the "what's that?" response that the term "Asperger's Syndrome" usually evokes. Last but not least, it avoids the use of the words "syndrome" or "disorder", reducing the negativity of the label.

The vision of autism portrayed by mass media (which tends to focus on people with LFA) means that the simple act of clearly stating "I am autistic" is often the first step toward breaking down the stereotype because people think we're all physically disabled, mentally ret*d and/or can't speak. I've had a few people say to me "but you don't look autistic". I always want to reply "and you don't look stupid, either, so I guess looks can be deceiving" but so far I've managed to hold it in.

Last edited by Jetson on 03 Jun 2005, 9:44 am, edited 1 time in total.

in training for being a disability analyst, there was some discussion by the trainees about using words like autistic or mentally ret*d, because they can be stigmatizing. my point was that it's not the words that are stigmatizing, it's the conditions. people are generally afraid of what they don't understand and derisive of any deviation from the bell curve of normalcy. you can change the words every day and it will not change the bigotry they inspire. it's a mind change that's needed, a real thinking about things and getting to know them kind of mind change, not a term changing.

In the case of the word "autistic", at least, there are a lot of people who see it the other way around.

A lot of people prefer to call themselves "autistic". The argument is that you would never hear someone described as "a person with lefthandedness" or "a person with homosexuality" because it's well understood that the described characteristic is an integral part of the person, not some disease or graft. Likewise, a lot of people believe that autism is simply another set of characteristics to be integrated into a healthy self-image. If you were to play a grammar game, you could evolve "person with autism" into "person with autisticness" whereupon the inappropriate use of the "person with" phrase becomes obvious.

The term "person with autism", although superficially politically correct, is one that supports the view of pro-cure groups and distraught parents who think autism is some sort of disease that stole their "normal" 3-year-old child and left a monster behind. Autistic people find that line of thinking devalues us all and should be resisted.

The same line of reasoning applies to "person with AS" versus "aspie". If someone asks, I would prefer to tell them "I have been diagnosed with AS" or "I am an aspie", not "I have AS".

People are cruel enough that any word that has a proper original origin can be turned into an insult. Its just human nature, so any term used as short hand to describe someone with Asperger's Syndrome, if it becomes popular enough will be an insult eventually... that is if enough people know about it.

I think the trick is to make new terms and have the terms just being used below the mainstream. So that most people won't know about it, and if they do there is another term in the background waiting to be used in that case.

As for "aspie", I don't really have strong opinions either way on this term. I use it though, just because its easier to type and say then the alternative. And so because of that it has sort of grown on me. But I am up for a differient word, that doesn't sound so cutesy. Aspie sounds like a term thats appropriate for a parent to call their children, but for adults... sounds a bit odd to me. But its not a horrible word... just there could be better.

Neurologically Atypical

Neuro Logical

Autistically Talented

Einstein Processor

Visual Thinker

Pattern Maker

World Watcher

A person with strong logical coherence

Natural Thinker (as opposed to a people or society oriented thinker)

i can understand the sentiment, but honestly, having lived 40 years and seen terms and definitions come and go, i'd have to say not much has changed, except maybe people are more pedantic and more bigoted than they used to be.

i've abandoned labeling wherever i can, and i've certainly abandoned caring what anyone calls me or thinks of me personally.

these sorts of words are just begging to be abused in classiying groups of humans into desirable and less than desirable categories. it's all eugenics to me.

Someone in this topic stated the original meaning of gay was happy. Way back it meant of dubious morals. Later, it was used to describe people who liked a good time. The 'Gay Gordons' was a regiment of Scottish soldiers, who liked drinking and dancing. So it's changed a few times. Almost full circle in fact.

Round here a fag is a cigarette, as in "I'm just going outside for a fag". And a bird is a girl, especially a scousette, as in the Liver birds (its not far to Liverpool from here).

I like "Neuro Logical"
I would use any word that doesn't have something bad in it like "syndrome". I don't feel sick, and I don't think I will be cool about introducing myself like that when I start to acccept it more and more: "Hey Im Berta, I have Aspergers Syndrome. That would be wierd. People with Tourettes shouldn't have to have a "syndrome" either. Because it means something bad right? Or am I wrong here. Some more positive words would be nice to use, but it needs to be an explanation INSIDE of the word, something people would get.

By the way: How do you pronounce AUTISTIC and AUTIE? Like this: Awwtie?
By the way: I would never use the term ExtremeNerd, I wasn't beeing serious at all.

How do other conditions describe themselves? In Norway I the most common thing to have is ADHD, and everyone calls those kids Hypers or hyperactives, but I have no idea what they call ppl with ADD/ADHA who aren't hyper. Another generalization then....

I don't wanna use the word "syndrome" ever, because when I was diagnosed about 4 years ago, my little brother who is like 19 now, told everyone I was brain-damaged and repeatedly told me: "You f***ing Syndrome-f****er"

Sorry about the language but that's what he used to call me. My other little brothers tell me other stuff all the time, if they are mad at me they will say that our parents shouldn't have had me and stuff like that. It must be because no one can explain to them the positive thigns about Aspergers, and they wouldn't get it if I did, because theya re such traditional NTs. In their minds: "Either you are normal, or you are mental."

That is how they were raised by our family and community. Plus my mother probably explained it to them and they got it the wrong way, as did she I am sure.
I think the whole desease/condition must change into something positive WITH some minor negative things in it.

I also believe that no NTs should discuss the word that should be used, I am a little offended that there are so many NTs here, when I haven't met a single one in real life who has understood anything about autistics at all.

I'm formally Dx'ed with Tourette Syndrome and for me TS has been a much bigger problem than AS, so the syndrome part doesn't bother me. Personally, I'd rather see a cure for TS than Autism, though neither are likely to ever be cured. Tourette Syndrome, now that the public has started to learn about it (that only took about 100 years ), it is frequently known just as Tourette's. However, now that the public has become aware of it, there is more myth than truth circulating and it is more likely to be mentioned as part of a joke than a serious discussion. I can easily envision something like this happening with AS, only the name can be made fun of in this case.

HFA II might be best if used in conjunction with an awareness campaign to exlplain that we are not broken and in need of fixing and that we are not the freaks and psychopaths we have been made out to be. I think that HFA might have a chance of getting a better reputation in the wake of such a campaign as well.

At first I can see the term "Aspie" being something of a slang word within this community. It seems okay to me.

But I can see once it gets mainstreamed, it can become derrogatory, and be used toward somone who can't interact very well and usually self-isolated.

Loser #1 (asking a question to Loser#2): Hey dude, what's with the loner walking around the quad all the time?

Loser #2: Don't worry these loner's are nothing but aspies. They just want to be one of us or someone else. But they are too self-moded or something.

Loser #3: Hey aspie boy don't your kind ever have friends? Do you ever get any?

Something like that.

Ahh-tiss-tick and Ahhtee.


Nice Brother!


Just tell them "They would have had to stop having kids to avoid having me. If they never had me, they would never have had you! So I wish they never had you so I dont have to put up with your crap!"


Those with AS aren't making much progress finding a new word anyway, so their input helps. NTs don't have to understand AS to help in this situation, they only need to understand the blanket prejudice that comes with all labels and suggest ways to avoid it. They might not be able to help as much with a public education campain though.

ASPERGANT. Simply said simply typed. I am aspergant. Within my posts I will refer to my self as such. It isn't in any dictionary and isn't in a DSM !V. If you choose to use aspie fine. But when you read my post please do not question me when I say aspergant.

As for parents using aspie because it sounds cute remember the cute aspie grows up. And many grown people won't refer to themselves as such.

Mark T. Pierce

How about Asps? Hsss! --...--'''--....--''''--(:>~

Remember we're not all visual thinkers! We cold call ourselves right thinking (a translation of the Greek word orthodox).

Yes, but I want to be UNORTHODOX! !!

*falls down on floor and throws tantrum*