Does "Autist" offend you?

I’ve been thinking about this kind of stuff a lot recey I haven’t found an answer yet, I’m not sure how to introduce myself in regards to the fact I’m “on the spectrum”.

I was thinking the move that removing aspergers from diagnostic label want that good of an idea, I get why it was and they say it was because there are a lot of similarities between aspies and autistic people (at the time) but then you here the term classic autism which was something quite different.

My assessor said even though I’m diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder I am a classic case of aspergers so there’s a contradiction. 

I think I might get hung up on the technicalities but it bugs and I do almost wish that aspergers was still a thing or something else. I also don’t want to take away or diminish the very difficult struggles other people on the spectrum have compared to me. 

wonder what you think of this

I’ve been thinking about this kind of stuff a lot recey I haven’t found an answer yet, I’m not sure how to introduce myself in regards to the fact I’m “on the spectrum”.

I was thinking the move that removing aspergers from diagnostic label want that good of an idea, I get why it was and they say it was because there are a lot of similarities between aspies and autistic people (at the time) but then you here the term classic autism which was something quite different.

My assessor said even though I’m diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder I am a classic case of aspergers so there’s a contradiction. 

I think I might get hung up on the technicalities but it bugs and I do almost wish that aspergers was still a thing or something else. I also don’t want to take away or diminish the very difficult struggles other people on the spectrum have compared to me. 

wonder what you think of this

I thought that the term Aspergers was phased out because of the history of the scientist, Hans Asperger, who was involved with the N***s [I cannot type the word out in full, the word is automatically redacted] including sending children for 'euthanasia'.

NAS has some good info about it further down this page: 

www.autism.org.uk/.../asperger-syndrome

Reading the Wikipedia page, it looks like his definition would also be out of date today as well ('lack of empathy' - hmmm nope!!!! And not everyone has 'clumsy movements'.).

en.wikipedia.org/.../Hans_Asperger

I'd prefer a unique term like this, too, but I'm sad that the history of the name Asperger's is linked with this. I like the shortened version, Aspie, but that still links with this. I'm a little torn, too.

I also came across ASD Level 1 as another unique term for Asperger's as well.

We may have to coin a new term! :) 

My (amateur) understanding is the Aspergers is used to describe a subset of autistic people (who usually have better language skills and cognitive function).

The medicos are now thinking that it's better professionally to describe the patients individual needs & abilities rather than fit them into a narrow categories like Aspergers.

Outside of clinical diagnosis though, I think "Aspergers" will still be used since it's a useful way of communicating in general about an Aspie's characteristics, especially with those who may not know much about autism.

So in my opinion, have at it and identify yourself as Asperger's if it fits!