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Am I the only one to dislike the term 'aspie' in describing a person with aspergers?

Hope

 

I have Asperger's Syndrome, but I am also a unique human-being, who is probably very different to any other person with aspergers or without aspergers.  We all have social difficulties, anxieties around order, perfection, routine, interests, obsessions etc. These difficulties affect us in unique ways and take many manifestations. Once you have met one person with asperger's, you have met one person with asperger's. Yet, to say 'I am an aspie', or 'aspies are good at...'' , is to reduce all our diversities to one label and stereotype. But we are more than a label. THerefore, I never describe myself as an 'aspie'. I find the word, rightly or wrongly, patronizing, bland, and false.

 

Parents

  • There was a debate a few years ago about whether it was offensive or acceptable. I recall receiving guidance not to use it, but found the reaction from people on the spectrum was "why not?".

    At the time a number of help sites for students were using it, and I think the debate came out of BRAIN.HE 

    I think it is one of individual choice. Some people on the spectrum comfortably refer to themselves as aspies. If someone finds it uncomfortable it is quite reasonable to ask to be described as "on the spectrum" or "a person affected by", or something else. But I think it is inevitable that people will try to shorten a long "handle" like Asperger's Syndrome.

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  • There was a debate a few years ago about whether it was offensive or acceptable. I recall receiving guidance not to use it, but found the reaction from people on the spectrum was "why not?".

    At the time a number of help sites for students were using it, and I think the debate came out of BRAIN.HE 

    I think it is one of individual choice. Some people on the spectrum comfortably refer to themselves as aspies. If someone finds it uncomfortable it is quite reasonable to ask to be described as "on the spectrum" or "a person affected by", or something else. But I think it is inevitable that people will try to shorten a long "handle" like Asperger's Syndrome.

Children
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