The use of clinical language

Post Reply New Topic

What I mean by clinical language is using words like stimming, sensory, shutdown and meltdown. Do you use that language in everyday life or only on WP and similar forums? I sometimes use that language when I'm talking abot other people on WP, but I don't like to use it to describe myself. I'd rather just say that I'm fidgeting or stressed out.

I only ever use it on the internet. I don't speak much and if I do it's about other things.

I only know one person in real life with whom I can discuss autism-related things, and even with her it rarely comes up in conversation. So basically I only get to talk in those terms right here on WP.

If I had more real life people to talk to about autism I would probably using those terms more with them too. As it is, this is the only place I can talk about it and anyone understands.

.

I feel free to use the words if the person I'm speaking to will understand them. That's about half the people I know. I wouldn't use it at work at all.

I use it at home with my wife. Our son has SPD, so we talk about his stimming/sensory issues a lot and I've just kind of adopted the language to describe myself. I don't use it at work or with people who I haven't told I'm on the spectrum though.

I usually use metaphors.

If I happen to talk about autism, I use clinical terms.

My dad's side of my family has a history of mental and physical health problems. It's not uncommon for us to talk about our health issues, because everyone seems to have something.

I talk about the things mentioned (stimming, meltdown etc) often at work.

I had never heard the term 'Aspie' before discovering WP, and I have worked with autistic kids for about 15 years. I personally don't like the term because it makes me think of a snake. We normally use ASD when referring to children with autism.

Bio class.

I use clinical language mostly at work, but use the word "meltdown" sparingly, because I don't want it to become overused in the future (I worry that any strong expression of emotion at all could be labelled that way, or with little regard for the fact that a lot of NTs would have a hard time remaining calm, too, under the same circumstances).

I also use some clinical language with people who already understand what I'm talking about or want/need to learn more.

Sometimes I teach the meaning of slang-ish words like "normals" and curebies" too, but like Raleigh, I don't really like calling someone an "Aspie" because I think it sounds more like an insult. I suppose, though, it's all about context and intention, huh?

Are those words "clinical"?

Oh, I voted before reading your post. I don't tend to use those words in everyday life, but I do use clinical or medical terms... Partially because I ma taking Medical Terminology 1 at my college.