The term "Aspie" is a deragatory slur in my book.

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Please explain how the term "Aspie" isn't just as deragatory as the term "n****r". I mean seriously I wouldn't even dignify myself to a response to being called an "Aspie". The term "Aspie" in my view implies that the person acts like a little kid or sounds like something that only someone who is severly mentally ret*d wouldn't mind being called out in public. Honestly, someone please explain how when people in the Asperger Syndrome community call others Aspies, it isn't the same thing as someone going "that n****rs crazy" or "look at this n****r". Other people with illnesses such as Diabetes, Cancer, MS, AIDS, etc are treated as adults when they are referred to. There isn't a special name for them. People just say something to the effect of "Yeah Mark has Cancer" or "Jim has AIDS". But when it comes to Asperger Syndrome it's usually "He's an Aspie".

Would you rather be called "an Aspie," which I think sounds pleasant, or be called "a person with Asperger's Syndrome," which is a mouthful and sounds like "Ass Burgers."

The difference is that 'Aspie' is a self-imposed label--we use it mainly because it is shorter and easier to say (as TheOrangeMage pointed out). It does not carry the connotations of an insult like 'n****r' and does not have the history behind it.

Some of us believe that AS is a part of who we are. It's not necessarily better or worse than being NT, just different (and more difficult because most of the world is NT, and not accomodating). Cancer and AIDS are diseases--something that is negative by definition. AS, on the other hand, is something that is part of you. It can't be 'treated,' and most of us accept that--and here at Wrongplanet the prevailing opinion is that it's something to be proud of.

Cancer, diabetes, AIDS, these are all diseases. You can debate whether or not AS is a disease, but it is definitely an aspect of a person’s personality from birth. So to separate the person and the AS by saying “a person with Asperger’s” is not meaningful. AS is part of who we are.

As for the “n****r” example; I have always believe that words mean about as much as you want them to. For instance Negro used to be an acceptable term, then people started attaching negative connotations to it and now it is considered offensive to use the word. The same thing happened with “black” and then with “coloured”. In my opinion it is not the word, it is the people attaching negative meaning to it, or the people hearing it interpreting negative meaning in the word. So it doesn’t matter which word you use, or how often you change it. People will find a way to offend, or be offended.

A parallel example is problems of the mind. The term has changed from mental illness to mental handicap to mental disability… and it keeps changing because politically correct idiots do not realise that attempting to make the word neutral will always fail if the person using the word is prejudice (or the person the word is addressing wants to be offended so they can be outraged).

I don't like that. People should know what an Aspie is.

[q]Would you rather be called "an Aspie," which I think sounds pleasant, or be called "a person with Asperger's Syndrome," which is a mouthful and sounds like "Ass Burgers." [/q]

As a matter of fact, the latter sounds better because it doesn't sound like I'm in preschool or anything. I'm not trying to seperate AS from myself when I request that I not be called something completely deragatory and humiliating like "Aspie". Not to mention that probably over 99% of America has no idea what an Aspie even is.

[q[It can't be 'treated,' and most of us accept that--and here at Wrongplanet the prevailing opinion is that it's something to be proud of."[/q]

Yeah, it can be treated in my view. I know I've gotten better over the years. You just have to develop new ways of thinking about socializing with others. Asperger's Syndrome is nothing to be proud of because it hinders your ability to function in society, whether it be with work, school, relationship, etc

Most people don't know what Aspergers is either so whats the difference? I don't think anything actually uses the term to anyone but other 'aspies' anyway as it's just easier to say. If you don't like the term then don't use it, but other people are perfectly entitled to use the term as we live in a free society. There are many sayings and terms in common use I find annoying, but you just have to deal with it.



It's nothing to be ashamed of either though, I don't go around telling everyone that I have asperbers but if it comes up I dont mind saying so. I have found my straight talking can be advantageous sometimes in various aspects of life, everyone has strengths and weaknesses, you just need to try and play to your strengths and try and limit your weaknesses. You are right that aspergers shouldn't be used as an excuse for being antisocial but then that's an individual choice depending on personal circumstances, some have it worse than others and some are probably driven to improve more.

and aspie sounds like "ass pee" ....

but i don't think 'person with aspergers' is somthing many would want to say. I would prefer somthing quicker to say like aspie, but now that i have brought up that "ass pee" thing i don't think i will ever be able to use it again .

it is better then spaz or psycho.

drats, now we need another nickname, this one's been ruined!

Personally I find the term "aspie" to be distasteful but I use it anyway for brevity.

One problem is that it causes people to say "He is an ____" rather than He has ____." So you ARE something rather than a person who HAS something.

Also, aspie ending with "ie" is a little to cute. Cuteness can be condesending and sarcastic. It sounds more like a bratty little kid than a serious syndrome.

Not to sound condescending or dismissive (seriously) but after the tirade of comments I heard from my NT "better" half today - being called an Aspie doesn't really seem that big of a deal.

Aspie -- A short-hand way to refer to a person with Asperger syndrome. First used and then made popular by Asperger syndrome author Liane Holliday Willey. Some people use it to refer to those on the whole autism spectrum rather than just those with Asperger's, even though there are differences between AS and other types of autism, such as language delays. There is controversy about whether or not the differences between autism and AS are significant enough to be considered sepearate conditions.

Its all here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspie they speack our language.

Well, you can call me a ret*d for all I care.

I hate this politically correct issues

I'd rather be addressed by my name then a label.

I just say that I'm autistic. If they don't believe me, whatever.

aspie is an inoffensive term. it is acdeptrd aongest most autistics in all countries, including outrside north america.
i use autism whn initially descibing it and people get the rain man impression..then i fthey are interested i expalin what aspergers is.....
i to like my aspoieness..it gives me great strengths...morally correct and honest and a reliable and concientious worker i am alos a decdicate father due to my aspiness, more so than my sons mother wants to admit..but that another story.
embrace yoru aspiness........youll find that people respond better to you when you do.

i woldnt want to be an nt...i like me when im aspie and i dont want to change myself, but i di want be aware of what i do and dont like and act accordingly.
self awaeness is a great thing. dont ever be ashamed to be aspie.