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Is "autist" offensive?

Bunny

The suggestion in this article is that use of the term is "outdated at best and offensive at worst":

https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/is-autists-offensive/

Some other notable comments from the article:

"Today, “autist” is rarely used by researchers, doctors, or autistic people themselves—but it can be found in edgy online spaces." 

"Because it’s often used in poor taste in modern Internet culture, I would avoid it unless someone with autism specifically tells you it’s his/her preferred term."

Re Wall Street Bets (which seemingly brought the term back into modern usage, with the opposite meaning to how they used “retards”): "The guide doesn’t explain how this terminology developed, but it’s probably rooted in the stereotype that every person with autism is a high-functioning, obsessive expert on certain topics, or even a savant-level genius."

Personally, I don't like it. For some reason, it irritates me. Having learned more about its modern usage, it now also feels either derogatory (when used by others) or too snobbish and aligned with "Aspie supremacy"-style thinking. I prefer "autistic person" or just “autistic” which can also be used as a noun.

Parents

  • Oh dear, this is another re-hash of one of the "impossible topics."

    It is impossible to use a single term that satisfies every autistic person.

    I do use autist out of choice.  I am sorry that you, and some others, inevitably, don't like it.  

    I believe the term "autist" is not generally deemed overtly rude or offence.

    I believe the terms "snobbish" and "Aspie supremacy" are deemed overtly rude and offensive.

Reply

  • Oh dear, this is another re-hash of one of the "impossible topics."

    It is impossible to use a single term that satisfies every autistic person.

    I do use autist out of choice.  I am sorry that you, and some others, inevitably, don't like it.  

    I believe the term "autist" is not generally deemed overtly rude or offence.

    I believe the terms "snobbish" and "Aspie supremacy" are deemed overtly rude and offensive.

Children
  • in reply to Deleted User
    Unknown said:
    I believe the terms "snobbish" and "Aspie supremacy" are deemed overtly rude and offensive.

    I seem to have upset you, which wasn’t my intention. Please accept my apologies. My use of those terms in my post was in the context of the explanations in the linked article. No personal insult was intended towards you or anyone else here.

    Unknown said:
    Oh dear, this is another re-hash of one of the "impossible topics."

    I’m also sorry if my having raised this topic bores or annoys you. Again, that’s not my intention.

    Whilst I’ve obviously been autistic for all of my life, I only came to learn that fact relatively recently.

    I’ve learned a lot about the subject over the last couple of years, and am still learning. One of the things that I try very hard to do is to use language as precisely and accurately as I can, and not to cause offence to others (either intentionally or unintentionally).

    My reason for inviting views from others here about this particular term stems from that interest and concern. For me, it isn’t a re-hash; I haven’t personally come across any discussions of this subject before.