Aspie/NT Segregation

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One thing I really get irritated with on this board and other autism forums/blogs (e.g. Autisable on Xanga) is how people segregate themselves and refer to themselves as "aspies", "autistics" "on the spectrum" and everyone else "NTs" or "Neurotypicals". This is so Jim Crow. Why do we need labels for people? When you look at the world as a whole, everyone...and I mean EVERYONE...is f****d up in their own way. I get especially irritated when the whole segregation is brought up during normal topics that are supposed to be independent of what you talk about in the psychologist's office, such as learning how to dance salsa. Why can't we accept the fact that all people are created equal and that those who judge us only define themselves and not us?

I am not sure you get the idea of language - Words to describe oneself and others are necessary -- If I am not to refer to myself as a White Male Asperger's what am I to call myself. I suppose I could call my call myself a blue snotty glurp -- but that would not be accurate and most of us on this board strive for accuracy as a rule. Also we are the less likely to discriminate based on labels than some other boards.

I cannot remember any time that I have refused to deal with anyone I refer to as an NT - nor do I hold or express any opinion that one side of this situation is better or worse than the other. I have never told anyone that they are not welcome here. I do believe that if one is using this board one should be willing to accept the Asper rules of conduct and communication. This board's stated reason for existence is to provide a place to those on the spectrum and the friends and relatives of those on the spectrum to come together and communicate about all things related to the autism spectrum, and to do that we must label ourselves and others accurately.

There have been several discussions on this board about terminology - so far no one has come up with better terms and language to discuss this than what exists now.

Nothing is "Jim Crow" about using these terms as we do not use them as hate words or as a means to ridicule or belittle others.

Last but not least - we are not all equal!! Really - we are all different!!- Halleluiah all is right with the world. What we should strive for in this world is - equal under the law or real acceptance or fair treatment.

I agree with the poster above. Also, the concept of equality is a legal one in that all should have equal protection under the law. However, everyone is unique in their own way and that makes us unequal. This is not a bad thing though. The world would be a very bland place if everyone was exactly the same. I wouldn't want to live in a purely ASD world anymore than I would want to be in a purely NT one. Each person has something unique to teach you. You only have to learn how to listen to them and understand their particular language.

As far as the whole aspie/autie/neurotypical/ etc. thing goes, it's something used here more as a way to give context than to segregate. Noting your neurology in some posts tells people something about why you see the world the way you do and why there may be a divide between how you see it and how they see it. I'm somewhere on the border between ADHD, AS and NT myself, but this does not change the fact that I am human. It does, however, mean that I may not fully relate to some of the experiences of others on the spectrum because my abilities and disabilities are different from theirs. This is not always important, but when it is I make certain to note it in my post out of respect for those reading it and their need for precise data.

Why do we need labels...

Please, go to the kitchen and get me that thing that you dig food with... labels help us identify the world around us...

And frankly... as an ASPERGIAN, since we have disease, disorder, or syndrome (according to various sources), marked by DISTINCT, clinical and objectively diagnosable mental aberrations, it makes sense that there will be a clear division... ESPECIALLY since there is a natural one already created by behavioral patterns.

Your comparison to the Jim Crow laws is... At least from my standpoint, uninformed, and... honestly... more than mildly offensive... Jim Crow was based on racial bigotry... an unfounded hatred of another based on comparisons that make no difference...

AS disorders can be diagnosed successfully with a double blind test (thereby removing observer bias completely)...

I, for one, feel an apology is in order... Jim Crow is one of the most offensive aspects of this country's history...

I agree somewhat with the OP. I have recently come to the conclusion that those with Asperger's Syndrome and those with High Functioning Autism shouldn't separate themselves into different categories but to say that we shouldn't differentiate ourselves from Neurotypicals is utterly preposterous. The way in which we think is entirely different and to essentially claim that isn't is an outright lie.

Verbal distinction is NOT segregation. Segregation is a legal enforced separation of groups of people, with one group (at least) suffering some reduction in rights or well being as a result of the separation.

ruveyn