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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 Reply Children
  • in reply to B

    The spectrum concept applies to ND as well but it means something a bit different. From en.wikipedia.org/.../Neurodiversity:

    The neurodiversity paradigm is a framework for understanding human brain function that considers the diversity within sensory processing, motor abilities, social comfort, cognition, and focus as neurobiological differences. This diversity falls on a spectrum of neurocognitive differences

    The terminology is still evolving and is often misunderstood so it is not surprising that some references may be out of date, written by someone who wants to promote a specific agenda or is simply misinformed.

    Even when a word is accepted with a definition there can be groups who want to change the meaning for some agenda. You will see this around the word neurodiverse one this thread and on a few others. All the dictionary sites I check say one thing but they insist it should mean something different. 

    Even the word spectrum can be confusing as many people think of a linear spectrum when autism is more of a circular or even spherical spectrum when you factor in the traits, intensities and impacts.

    I think it best not to get too caught up on absolutes as it seems there is always someone who has a different absolute definition to you and arguing is not going to make you any more (or less) right about a slightly plastic concept.