Is "autist" offensive?

The suggestion in this article is that use of the term is "outdated at best and offensive at worst":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
  • I referred to this as an "impossible topic" because it is one that can readily descend into word ping-pong and become hijacked by various opposing cultural warrior camps.  For the record, I belong in no ones tent so I do find "impossible topics" fearful!  There is no "right answer", so let's keep it polite....is always my only hope.

    Again, you have neither bored nor irritated me by raising the topic, but yes, this word salad about how we can/should/must refer to ourselves has often been discussed here over the years.....and it has often deteriorated relations here.

    I must disagree with you here N.

    I don't remember a single time that this (Autist) has been discussed, and if it has, I don't remember any descent into 'cultural warrior camps'.

    The threads that have become arguments have been on the subjects of s*x, s*xuality, gender and women's 'place in society'.

    I know as I've taken part in these threads.

    I shall always stand up for what I believe in and this isn't 'hijacking' threads but just not being silent when the views of others horrify me.

      I find you a very valuable member of this forum who is always very helpful, polite, calm and kind.

    Thank you for this thread.

Reply
  • I referred to this as an "impossible topic" because it is one that can readily descend into word ping-pong and become hijacked by various opposing cultural warrior camps.  For the record, I belong in no ones tent so I do find "impossible topics" fearful!  There is no "right answer", so let's keep it polite....is always my only hope.

    Again, you have neither bored nor irritated me by raising the topic, but yes, this word salad about how we can/should/must refer to ourselves has often been discussed here over the years.....and it has often deteriorated relations here.

    I must disagree with you here N.

    I don't remember a single time that this (Autist) has been discussed, and if it has, I don't remember any descent into 'cultural warrior camps'.

    The threads that have become arguments have been on the subjects of s*x, s*xuality, gender and women's 'place in society'.

    I know as I've taken part in these threads.

    I shall always stand up for what I believe in and this isn't 'hijacking' threads but just not being silent when the views of others horrify me.

      I find you a very valuable member of this forum who is always very helpful, polite, calm and kind.

    Thank you for this thread.

Children
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