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 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Reading the Wikipedia page, it looks like his definition would also be out of date today as well ('lack of empathy' - hmmm nope!!!!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! :) 

Don't go there with the the whole denigrating Asperger - there have been many, many heated threads - and so many people are missing 90% of the story and so you *know* where it will end up.   

Especially with the current posters on the site.

Don't go there with the the whole denigrating Asperger - there have been many, many heated threads - and so many people are missing 90% of the story and so you *know* where it will end up.   

Especially with the current posters on the site.

I respect your opinions, Plastic.

Yet, we cannot control, or predict, where people 'go'.

I'm mindful that this is a potentially triggering topic, though. 

I'm also here to learn with others who are on the spectrum, and not just from the internet, books, journals, etc. It helps hearing a variety of opinions from people with lived experiences.

I would love to hear more of your opinions on this and the missing parts of the story that you reference, yet this is up to you, and if you prefer not to continue chatting about this, I respect that.

This name, Asperger's, genuinely has me confused. I want to use it, yet don't like the links to horrible history. I would love to hear others' opinions and hope there IS a variety of opinions on it. I would be surprised if we all thought the same about it.

[Update: 22/06/2021] I found this 3 year old thread from this forum really useful in reading other people's opinions on the term, Asperger Syndrome. Sharing the link here in case others are questioning this term like I have been. It is probably worth any discussion about it being shared on this older thread or a brand new thread so we don't hijack this one about the term 'autist', too: https://community.autism.org.uk/f/adults-on-the-autistic-spectrum/12275/hans-asperger/70327#70327 [/Update]