Why do some find the term "Neuroypical" offensive?

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I have never understood why some view the term as being offensive.

I've seen many people on this site state that they are uncomfortable with it, without providing any logical reasons for being so.

I've even heard it being described as "dehumanizing". Seriously? Interestingly, the same people have no qualms about calling someone Autistic.

So, why is it that "Neurotypical" is sometimes viewed as an offensive term? It seems to me that those people are simply creating unnecessary drama over an accurate and widely accepted term.

People often use it in a derogatory way.
It creates an us and them way of thinking

It's not a bad term and it's useful, just often misused.

There will always be someone who is offended by a label/phrase/word.

Turn it around. How would you feel being called "Aspietypical" or "Typical Aspie" every time you did something they didn't like?

"Neurotypical" may be over-used, if not mis-used completely.

Most people seem to put an emphasis on their differences, so "typical" goes against how they want to be seen. But then, everyone's trying to fit in with one another as well, so I guess there has to be a balance somewhere? Neurosingularpenetypicality?

Some people use it in a derogatory way.

It's offensive to me because it's too nice.



I could also refer to them as "sponges" for being full of whatever they get dipped in at any given moment.


Funny thing is that the NTs will be offended by any label that has the word typical in it, WHILE at the same time, doing everything to fit in and go along to maintain their precious socialization.

Everybody wants to be oh so special.

People like to be and feel unique.

"Typical" is pejorative to most.

My nicest term is "standard issued human" mostly I see them as humans and myself as none standard human. But also NTs. I think maybe we should be a different species of human. But it is bad in a way to label all NTs as such and same with us.

I don't find any offense in the word. I see it as another label humans create to further segment themselves. Labels are problematic as well as useful. Labels help people find similar minds while keeping them segregated. It's another attempt to give structure to the mess that is the universe. Just go with it I say.

This is a forum set up by a person on the Autism spectrum.
This forum is mostly used by people on the spectrum.

I know how I have been treated by so called normal people all my life.

If they don't like NT we could use the term sheeple drones or better still show them the same regard they have shown us which is none.

To be honest, I have never heard anyone say they were offended by it or felt uncomfortable with it.

I do agree, though, that many use it in a pejorative way. And I don't like it when people say things like "neurotypicals always...." No one group of people always anything. Not unless you are talking about physical characteristics, and even then it is rare that an entire group of people always share one physical characteristic without exception. No one likes to be lumped into a big giant mass of indistinguishable nothingness. We are all unique, regardless of our neurological makeup.

I guess it is the same as almost any label. When it is used appropriately, it is not problematic, but when it is used to denigrate or segregate someone, it is.