Does "Autist" offend you?

Lot more of us than that! I mask so do a lot of others. But yes maybe we are still  a smaller percentage we are like rare jewels then. 

I don't mention it to people. Some family members know and senior management at work, that's it. My manager told me " you can't have autism, you have empathy". Found that frustrating. As I'm not like to tell anyone else, unless it's medical staff, maybe, then I don't have a label for myself. I also have no issue with how anyone else wishes to refer to themselves. It you like it, you go for it.

They don't have to though because they are the same it's only because we take up about 3% of the population we stand out.

Maybe neuro typical should come out and refer to themselves as neuro typical too.  As long as you feel no one is going to be discriminatory against you then why not. You do what you feel and express who you are and be proud of it. 

For someone my age, 'spectrum' raises visions of 'Captain Scarlet' and SPVs (Spectrum Pursuit Vehicles). Yes, I did have a Corgi SPV, and, like the James Bond Aston Martin, it delighted my little autistic mind with ejector seats and other spring-loaded goodies.

I refer to myself as being "On the spectrum". its inclusive. I dont offer this information unless its absolutely necessary so I haven used it since my diagnosis. 

Thanks, I wasn't sure whether I'd offend or amuse.

"Sperglord" is a millenial which term I think I got from my daughter. 

The last part made me LOL. 

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]

Love this! Your mindset and words like Sperglord - brilliant!

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 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! :) 

I'm not keen on 'autist' - it sounds like I'm playing at it.

I tend to call myself aspie - but it depends on the audience and my perceived feelings on their understanding of the technical terms.

Most of these situations are going to be medical so I find it easier to quickly mention the Aspergers but then explain what odd behaviours they are likely to trigger - and what to ignore and what to take notice of.

It allows me to do what I need to do to get through things and it gives them a clear set of parameters to work within.

My problem is my apparent 'jolly nice chap' persona switches and alternates with a frightened 8-year old - it can be confusing in they're not expecting it.

If I'm with unskilled people, I'll tell them I'm autistic - it gives them more stability - even if some of them then talk slowly and clearly at me like I'm 95 and deaf 

Not at all but I think the general public may not immediately understand what you are talking about. 

If I do tell people I'm autistic, I just say I'm autistic so far. I'm not completely "out" because I feel less confident telling people who have known me for longer. I've been telling people new to me to test the waters because it doesn't matter if they react badly because I'm not invested in them, unlike my longer term friends... 

I personally really enjoy words. I cheerfully identify as a Sperglord, 'sperg, Aspie, Autist, I simply don't care what the label is, knowing what I am and what my capabilities and limitations are is "golden" for me after nearly 60 years of severe partial blindness in that area. 

You simply cannot insult me with a description of what I am if it is the truth. I may not like it, and feel a need to change, but the truth is always worth hearing however it is expressed. The same as certified purity Gold...

What offends me slightly is someone saying "Oh! You're very high functioning!" but that is likely more my annoyance with their ignorance and patronizing attitude than genuine umbrage over a microaggression. 

I feel like there may be a general problem with how language is received. Being from the States, there does appear to be much more awareness in the UK in general - to a degree. Much of what I've learned has been from research here rather than what might be available in the US. Or at least in the locations I've been (perhaps a few states have better understanding). At this point, being on the Spectrum seems to generate a more welcome response from humans who know me in the US. Autistic seems too broad and general and only applied to individuals in need of much more assistance, in my experience. Unless, one is in a professional field. 

I find all introductions and identifications valid. But having spent so many years feeling like my words just go right through someone, can see the importance of being more specific with language. I'd rather be over-articulate and somewhat uninteresting than have someone I'm trying to communicate with think how nice and poetic and mysterious I am! Small chuckle. 

It is my preferred self-referent, or 'Autiste', but that's just me playing with words and imagery. I think that particularism in exact phraseology, and offence when anyone does not use the currently preferred word has become both silly and self-defeating. If someone called me a 'person with autism' it would not offend me in the least. 

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!

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