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AIBU?

AIBU to ask you to STOP

392 replies

Dawndonnaagain · 03/04/2016 14:38

using the term 'autistics'. Four fucking times this weekend on different threads. You mean person with autism, people with autism, child with autism. Autistics is not shorthand for any of those. Pack it in.
Angry

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ProcrastinatorGeneral · 03/04/2016 14:42

If a person with autism decides to call themelf 'an autistic' it's fuck all of your business to stop them.

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DonkeyOaty · 03/04/2016 14:42

YANBU at ALL

But you do realise you'll be accused of being Professionally Offended and a member of the "SN Brigade"

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saltlakecity · 03/04/2016 14:42

I agree. People probably wouldn't use the terms: blinds, disableds, dyslexics etc.

I also hate terms like 'dyspraxic boy' as if that's the thing that defines him.

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bearbehind · 03/04/2016 14:42

Several people on those threads described themselves as autistic.

You can't tell others what the can and can't say about themselves.

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DonkeyOaty · 03/04/2016 14:43

Or you'll get told it's Fuck All to do with you.

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ilovesooty · 03/04/2016 14:43

And of course there will also be remarks about the way "political correctness" stops people saying what they want to say. Hmm

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Dawndonnaagain · 03/04/2016 14:44

Proacrastinator As someone with Autism who teaches Doctors about Autism, I have NEVER heard a person with Autism refer to themselves as 'an autistic'. Oh, and before you decide to reply to a thread like this try a little research.

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MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 03/04/2016 14:44

What if a person with autism describes themselves as autistic?

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raininginspringtime · 03/04/2016 14:44

People sometimes need schooling if you like on the preferred phrases.

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Dawndonnaagain · 03/04/2016 14:44

Oh, and if they do, it's up to them and not everyone else.

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raininginspringtime · 03/04/2016 14:45

I have Dawn.

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curren · 03/04/2016 14:45

I have aspergers. I hate all the terms you have deemed 'acceptable'. I have aspergers, it's a massive part of who I am. I feel that 'person with...' Makes it sound like a disease.

The only time I have seen 'autistics' recently is when someone was referring not to themselves. In which case, Yabu to tell people what they can and can not label themselves.

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MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 03/04/2016 14:45

Sorry x-post. My friend refers to himself as autistic. Not sure if I should give you his phone number so you can check that though.

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Dawndonnaagain · 03/04/2016 14:46

What if a person with autism describes themselves as autistic? Then they are a person with autism, not 'an autistic'.

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raininginspringtime · 03/04/2016 14:46

My darling brother whispers it.

'I do feel very anxious but that's my autism'

Grin

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Dawndonnaagain · 03/04/2016 14:47

Curren. I refer to myself as an Aspie. That's my choice.

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MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 03/04/2016 14:48

Sorry Dawndonna, but my friend finds your terminology offensive. He would be offended if you referred to him as "a person with autism".

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curren · 03/04/2016 14:50

Exactly that's your choice and if someone choose to refer to themselves as an autistic. That's up them too.

If some refers to you in a way your NT like. Tell them you prefer them not use that phrase.

I have seen anyone use in regards to other people. But I do think Yabu to tell everyone what they only acceptable phrases are. That's not your decision.

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WorraLiberty · 03/04/2016 14:50

Are you also this rude to the many posters who continually say, "My child is ASD"?

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bloodyteenagers · 03/04/2016 14:50

I know a few people with autism, including a child and a close friend. I shall tell them that they are no longer allowed to call themselves autistic and refer them to this thread.
what do you think of the title of Daniel stefanski book?

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Dawndonnaagain · 03/04/2016 14:50

I too describe myself as Autistic, or Aspie, Milk. Try reading the OP again. I'm talking about describing people with Autism as a group. Autistics is not a collective noun. The Deaf Community don't call each other 'the deafs' do they?

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Dawndonnaagain · 03/04/2016 14:51

When somebody says they are autistic, they mean I have Autism.
Autistics is not a collective noun* Do we get it now?

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PhilPhilConnors · 03/04/2016 14:53

I don't think I've ever seen reference to "an autistic".
I would refer to myself as autistic, but not as an autistic.

There was some research done, I think the conclusion was that people with autism preferred to refer to themselves as autistic rather than having autism, but when it came to parents and experts, they preferred with autism rather than autistic.

Then again, I have described ds as asthmatic, an asthmatic and has asthma.

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WorraLiberty · 03/04/2016 14:53

I think what 'we' are getting, is that you're coming across as extremely rude and rather petulant tbh.

You'll catch a lot more flies with honey...

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Medusacascade · 03/04/2016 14:53

I use person first language when talking about my child with autism or other people with autism.

But some people with autism I have encountered prefer disability first such as autistic person.

My intention is never to offend and I will never win 100 per cent of the time.

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