To think that calling someone "spa***c" is offensive?

I’m in the states, it has always been derogatory here!!

I would also say that while retard is still used in the US, it's on the decline. People are starting to recognise that it's seen as offensive.

While retardation still has a place in medical definitions, and talking about someone being retarded might well be around for some time, until medical professionals over there stop using it, retard as a noun is gradually coming into 'hmmm, this probably isn't a good way to describe someone' territory.

I hope I've helped. It's some years since I was enlightened to the (non) history of the word there.

My American friends used to (probably still do, but they now try not to when they talk to me) refer to their kids being over excitable as 'spazzing out'. I was beyond horrified before this was all explained to me.

It's also been helpful to my friends to know never to use the word when they visit the UK, where the derivation is very very different.

It seems to me the person is using the word to mean wild/crazy/uncontrollable which I would take to be an offensive use of the word as it doesn’t seem to be referring to actual muscle spasticity. Even in a country where the word is not seen offensive in itself, I would liken it a bit to saying he acts like he is disabled or like he has learning difficulties, when describing “wild” behaviour. Disabled is not an offensive word, but it could be seen as so in that context

I had a relative visiting from Australia who said the word spastic and I had to explain it’s really offensive here. She was shocked, but I suspect even though it’s acceptable in Australia it’s only in certain contexts

@Otterseatpuffinsdontthey yes VERY offensive in the UK.
However the OP has confirmed it's an international Facebook group and in America it actually has a different meaning and isn't necessarily considered offensive.

Have only read the Op's post.
It's offensive.

In England? I haven't heard that term used medically for at least 30 years

It's been derogatory for about 3 or 4 decades in the UK

Horrible use of the word......I remember my nana shouting at some people collecting for ' the spastics society ' as it was seen as offensive and outdated even then (( well over 30 years ago )) There's no way people don't know it's a foul term when used in a derogatory way. And to describe her own child like that is just disgusting.

Different if used as a medical term, ie spasticity of limbs......but let's face it, she wasn't.

Hereditary spastic paraplegia?

My ds has this.

I guess we went to the same school!

Depends what they mean by the description.

If it's spasticity - as in a neuromuscular condition - what word can you use for when the muscles go into spasticity.

If it's the other - imo degeritory term - m description of behaviour then I'd call it out every time.

Many years ago my daughter and her best friend pushed a boy in a ditch for calling my son a spazzy (he has Down Syndrome) they were summoned to the headteacher’s office he did not tell the girls off but the boy was. I must add I reprimanded her severely!

In the US cerebral palsy had never been referred to as spasticity. People with the condition have never been called spastics. Consequently in the US it is not a derogatory word.

As a teacher of disabled children, when I initially came across Americans using the word, I was reacting very badly and lecturing them, as you seem to have done @IglooLists . It took quite some time (and the patience and thoughtfulness of an American pediatrician in explaining it to me) for me to back down and recognise that this was a linguistic cultural difference, and a case of 'being divided by a common language'.

It still instinctively makes me cringe when I come across it from someone in the US, but I now recognise that I was mistaken in interpreting it on the way I did.

Yes it’s meant offensively. Either on purpose or ignorantly.
I’m a health care professional and I’m an LD specialist.
I wouldn’t tolerate that or the R word or anything else Americans insist is just a descriptor whist using it to denigrate vulnerable people.

You were right to call them out. I knew it was an offensive word as a child 30 years ago!

Agree with you, it is a disgusting and derogatory word, gives me the bike just thinking of someone using it. I'd easily call someone out for using it. Pretty normal back in the 90s school days

My boys have an incredibly rare condition which medical term has the world spastic in it, they are more than aware of their condition and the issues it causes.
As normal teenagers they insult each other (they are very close) and call each other spastic which is technically correct. I've told them not to do it in public or to anyone else as it's very much a between them joke. Dark humour is used a lot in this house.

I think it's Simply hurtful and derogatory.
I was called a cripple because l use walking aids . Some on here said l was being too sensitive.