What should "Aspergers" be called?

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Now that Aspergers no longer exists as a unique condition in the DSM, how should we refer to ourselves? Since the Autism industry will continue to label us without our permission or input, why not come up with a name that accurately describes in what ways we are different? Think of it like this: What if doctors, psychiatrists and other 'caring' professions were to declare that African Americans are developmentally defective (at one time they actually did! Native Americans also!) Neither group continues to tolerate this unscientific prejudice. Why do we?

Ideas?

I kind of like 'persons on the spectrum'

How about "The Autist Formerly Known As Aspie"?

You probably mean the "autism spectrum" but I immediately got a picture of people riding the electro-magnetic spectrum as if surfing the universe. Nice positive image of our love of learning!

I saw something like that today on the net - The Disorder Formerly Known As Aspergers (or TDKAA) which refers to Aspergers, the "thing" - but yours does refer to the person that has the "thing." Nice!

"Autism". Otherwise this thread makes no sense.

(You can keep calling it "Asperger's Syndrome").

Can you explain what you mean? Otherwise what you said makes no sense. LOL

How about something that sets us apart, but makes our differences look like we are really special rather than handicapped in certain areas?

Let me think,

I know, "Indigo Children"

Or even, "Star Children" like we are a higher race that have come from the Stars to further the evolution of man!



(Just to point out this is me being sarcastic of those who use such labels, not my personal wishes for such).

So if this post is what you don't think, what do you actually think?

You said that Asperger's does not exist in the DSM-5 anymore (True). This does not mean that you have to invent a new word that, ironically, does not exist in the DSM.
Words like "Aspies" are still widely used.

I think it would be good for former Aspergers to self-describe who we are and what we are like. We don't have to accept a pejorative description based solely on the fact that the social majority can't grasp that not being JUST LIKE THEM means someone is defective, handicapped, disabled and not quite human.

So it has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with a neurological difference which can cause us to have more problems than simply not being liked? We shouldn't have medical diagnosis and treat conditions and help anyone because somebody might take offense at having a diagnosis? If we don't have any diagnosis to use for things, practicing medicine will get much harder. The doctor would have to say "He has that thing where you know, his stomach goes all in like this instead of like that and it hurts". That's a pretty steep price to pay for preventing somebody from taking personal offense that there is a name for a condition which they either have or think they have. If it bothers you then don't tell anyone about it. If it causes you to have problems then you could probably use some sort of treatment or help with symptoms, etc. If it's just that you aren't liked, that isn't a disorder.

Which is it? Do we demand acceptance despite our neurological differences and work with and around our difficulties with accommodations and hope for understand about any issues we may have that stem from AS, or do we insist that there is nothing about us to label, we are just like everybody else and even though we have no defined disorder we should get accommodations and understanding because we just want it? Can't have it both ways. Either it's a disorder that can cause problems to various degrees so it has a name or it doesn't exist and everybody is just being a big snot. I don't think the second one is gonna fly very well though.

TFD ( Totally Fu@ked Disorder).

Um, 'autistic' works just fine. If you want a specific label then you should go with HFA or even just 'aspie' - nobody is going to stop you from using it. I still do.

Also, aren't you being quite hyperbolic here? The "autism industry" changed the definition of autism because it better reflects the nature of the condition. They haven't really changed much other than the fact that PDD-NOS, Autistic Disorder and Aspergers have merged together (and they're really the same bloody thing).

And where is this whole scientific racism nonsense coming from? What does that have to do with anything?!

I am amazed at how "Aspies" defend the diagnosis, which actually DOES NOT HAVE any physical test to confirm that someone "is" or "has" Aspergers. Having a label must have some importance or perceived advantage? A definite lack of curiosity might be added to the list of subjective and untestable symptoms. I would never accept no more evidence for a developmental disorder than - You don't like socializing? You're defective." "You make too much eye contact." "You don't make enough eye contact." ETC. It's as scientific as witchcraft.

Last edited by gonewild on 16 Nov 2013, 8:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Where's your medical degree from? I damn sure don't have one but I'd trust someone who has one over some angry stranger on a forum. Most people would. Life is funny like that.