Autism Spectrum Disorder or Austism Spectrum Condition?

Hi Everyone.

I have a question which I would like to start a discussion on and I will give my answer and my reason why I gave that answer.

Would you like the term "Autism Spectrum Disorder" to be changed to "Autism Spectrum Condition"?

The reason I ask that question is because it is a known fact that Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological condition and as such, the word "Disorder" I don't think should be used to describe the Autism Spectrum Condition. The term disorder refers to something that is not in the order that people like to accept as being in order because it is different.

Each of us are indiviuals with different biological, chemical and DNA makeups which makes us individuals and autism like ADHD etc. is a neurological condition which simply means our brains and nervous systems are wired differently to others that people refer to as normal. What is normal for one individual is not necersarily normal for the next individual because they have different requirements and needs.

Do you agree with me and do you feel the same way?

  • I am just looking for thoughts of renaming ASD to something more positive that will help break the stigma and help people see us in a more positive light. Thank you so much for your response.

    Alternative suggestions:

    1. Autistic- identity first language is much preferred by our community including myself.

    2. Autistic experiences 

    3. Autistic neurotype

    What do you think of these suggestions?

  • My suggestion is remove the word 'disorder' altogether and simply call it 'autism spectrum'. Whether people still choose to stigmatise is their free choice.

  • Thank you so much for sharing this and your honesty. I am just interested is to see if we could change things to break the stigma and see Autstic people in a more positive light because we are all people at the end of the day.

  • I tend to agree about how long the process can be to change the name. I am just looking for thoughts of renaming ASD to something more positive that will help break the stigma and help people see us in a more positive light. Thank you so much for your response.

  • Thank you so much for sharing this. I am just interested is all in if we could give it a more positive name so we can break the stigma and see Autistic people in a more positive light.

  • It depends how you would go about getting it changed.

    The medical term remains ASD and it feels like a long process for that to be changed. 

  • Thank you so much for sharing this. I do understand although I have been diagnosed with ASD and am just interested how people would respond and if we could rename it with a more positive name is all.

  • I do tend to agree with you there. Thank you so much for being so open and honest.

  • To me 'disorder' and 'condition' are merely words, and in their own merit neither is more favourable. In fact, why not do away with either and just call it 'autism spectrum', is there a real need to call it a disorder or a condition or even come up with a word that is more appealing or welcome? 

    I think the problem arises more when it is used in context, when I am talking to someone who is neurotypical, neurodivergent or shares the same neurodivergence. With someone neurotypical, it creates an invisible wall between me and the listener that separates us. We are no longer part of the same group or tribe. In that context, 'disorder' seems the worse option. I can think of many words immediately that start with 'dis' and that feel negative - 'disoriented' 'disease' 'disgust' 'disaster' ... - but I cannot think of a positive one off hand. 'Condition' on the other hand feels more neutral, you can look at it positively or negatively or neutrally, and that's your personal choice. It sounds more natural as well to use negative or positive adjectives with the word 'condition'. You can say 'a favourable condition', 'a challenging condition'. But can you actually say 'a beneficial disorder'? It just doesn't sound right to me, or someone is trying to be sarcastic.

  • Good topic! I like it! It’s hard for me to answer, but on one hand I can say it is a disorder when I had a meltdown because of a situation that causes me huge stress which I’m unable to manage. On other hand I can handle some situations that for others are much more challenging, but for me are not. Thank goodness I figured out on my own how to prevent myself from going to a destructive meltdown, how to avoid the trigger and soothe myself in various situations. But it’s hard, nobody helped me with it. 
    On other hand I would say it’s not a disorder or condition. It’s me, my personality, my wonderful inner world that I enjoy and I’m happy that I have it. NTs who had chance to learn a bit of it were fascinated. So it’s both hard to handle but also greatly appreciated. I used to want to be like others (normal) when I was younger. Now I can say, I don’t care about being like others. And even if there was a medication for autism, I would not take it. I don’t want to be treated from being myself. 
    Sure is one thing - the general population should be more aware and better educated also more empathetic towards people who don’t fit in. ASD/Asperger is considered disorder as a result of comparison to the majority. But it’s a wide spectrum. There are people with higher and lower needs and they should be met. for that research and better understanding are needed. I think we are on a good way. Amongst both - autistic and allistic people are those with higher and lower needs. So in this case I would say, autism is just a difference. 
    Once I heard wise words “I don’t struggle from autism, I struggle from other people” - from channel Autism from the Inside. Autism itself is not the cause of suffering. It’s the rejection and bullying because of being different. 
    It’s just my opinion, I’m aware of that others may not agree with me. 

  • I don't like either. I am a woman, I am short, I am autistic, I don't "have autism" . Disorder & condition both sound like an illness. I just say I'm on the autism spectrum, or I'm an Aspie

  • I am disordered.

    I am content with that reality, although I still wish to "tame/control" some of my more destructive behaviours and thoughts.

    My "disorder" is sometimes helpful/powerful/amazing and sometimes shaming/woeful/tragic.

    Words ARE important, but in this case of whether autism has a tag of 'disorder' or 'condition', personally, I don't mind.

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