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Terminology

B

Are there any particular aspects of autism related terminology that bother you?

Here are some of mine:

1.

ND -v- autistic

NT -v- allistic

The above terms seem (from reading here) to have become interchangeable but, to my mind, they shouldn't be.

Autism is under the umbrella of neurodiversity but so is Tourettes (for example).

Here is a wheel of ND but I've seen some with more 'conditions' included:

If ND is used instead of 'autistic' (when it's actually autism in particular that is probably the subject) I find it hard to follow the arguments/discussion.

2.

Another is the autism spectrum.

I don't know how it was meant when it was first termed, but my understanding of it isn't that there are ends of it that are less autistic, and more autistic, ie becoming more extreme, but rather than we (autistic people) can be less and more extreme as we dip in and out of the symptoms/characteristics:

Below is a link to an article that I think explains it well:

https://neuroclastic.com/its-a-spectrum-doesnt-mean-what-you-think/

3.

Also, if other people say 'we are all on the spectrum, all a little bit autistic etc' then I think it's important to bear in mind that a diagnosis is only given if the characteristics of autism that we match to are disabling to us.

How do others see the above and also, are there any other terms that you find difficult/confusing?

Parents

  • My personal dislike is being called neurospicy, it just doesn’t sit right with me. I’ve been called this by a couple of different people and just don’t like it. No real reason, I just find the spicy part makes being say autistic sound fun and entertaining.

  • in reply to Roy

    Oh yes! I hate that word! If I described myself as neurospicy I would be putting myself on display. I see all kinds of images that aren’t what the word means—sandpaper, spotted, red, choppy, spiky, jaggy, Zanzibar, unpredictable, unreliable, sexual preference, gritty, ginger, hot. Also, it sends a nasty feeling through my torso.

  • in reply to ArchaeC

    I feel like the word has a sexual tone. It's almost like it's suggesting something about me. That's a million miles away from what I am. 

    I probably completely wrong as usual but that's what I feel when people use it and they're not autistic.

  • in reply to Lonehare12

    I agree, it's both meaningless and suggestive, I could well see someone getting totally the wrong impression in certain circumstances. It also sounds like an excuse, 'oh I can't help it I'm neuro spicy'!

  • in reply to Lonehare12

    Here's a suggestion  

    Maybe the likes of you and me thinking automatically that what we feel and think is wrong might be problematic is the problem here?

    What we think reveals more about us than others maybe?

    Post diagnosis I am lead to believe that I have had and continue to make a regular "educated" guess at what neurotypical communication means (in it's huge variety of forms).

    This really makes it confusing to develop a strong and healthy sense of self based which is of it's nature relies somewhat on what other people observe about us and inform us of.

Reply
  • in reply to Lonehare12

    Here's a suggestion  

    Maybe the likes of you and me thinking automatically that what we feel and think is wrong might be problematic is the problem here?

    What we think reveals more about us than others maybe?

    Post diagnosis I am lead to believe that I have had and continue to make a regular "educated" guess at what neurotypical communication means (in it's huge variety of forms).

    This really makes it confusing to develop a strong and healthy sense of self based which is of it's nature relies somewhat on what other people observe about us and inform us of.

Children
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