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Original poster

MNHQ please don't use the term 'ASD child'

33 replies

Borka · 11/01/2017 14:11

You've given Tuesday's blog of the day the title 'My ASD child is not a genius but he is amazing'. ASD isn't an adjective and shouldn't be used like this - it's like saying Down Syndrome child or Special Needs child, which I'm assuming (hoping) you wouldn't do.

You could use either 'autistic child' (which is how the blogger refers to her son in the post) or 'child with ASD'.

OP posts:
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whyohwhy000 · 19/01/2017 18:14

It's in a similar vein to saying someone is ocd.

Even worse - saying that you are "a bit OCD". You have either been diagnosed with OCD, or you haven't.

Original poster
Borka · 11/01/2017 16:55

Thanks Katherine!

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MNHQ
KatherineMumsnet · 11/01/2017 16:21

Hello all,

Thanks so much for flagging this to us. We're going to remove the phrase 'ASD child' now and we'll avoid it in future.

Manumission · 11/01/2017 15:51

Yeah that's why I put up with it dixie. But it's under sufferance. Life would be easier for those with HFA if the social model of disability was applied a bit more.

DixieNormas · 11/01/2017 15:49

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DixieNormas · 11/01/2017 15:40

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Manumission · 11/01/2017 15:15

Don't get me started on "disorder" either

SuperAspie what a fabulous NN you've bagged for yourself there Smile

Manumission · 11/01/2017 15:14

Oh hang on, it's the equivalent of saying "autism child" instead of "autistic child". Is that it?

I'd say so.

Superaspie · 11/01/2017 15:12

It's in a similar vein to saying someone is ocd.

I haven't come across anyone saying they are a bit asd just because they have a preference towards something or a single sensory issue or something similar but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

Original poster
Borka · 11/01/2017 15:04

Cross post - but I don't think that ASD is generally taken to mean autism spectrum disordered.

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Original poster
Borka · 11/01/2017 15:03

'I am autistic' and 'I am autism' don't mean the same thing.

'I have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder' doesn't mean 'I am an Autism Spectrum Disorder'

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AVirginLitTheCandle · 11/01/2017 14:59

You wouldn't say epilepsy child, a dyslexia child or an obesity woman however you might say epileptic child, dyslexic child or obese woman.

In which case could ASD not stand for autism spectrum disordered?

Original poster
Borka · 11/01/2017 14:59

Well, yes and no - it is a grammar thread but not just a grammar thread.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 11/01/2017 14:56

Yes, once I'd had my coffee I realised it was a grammar thread.

I love a grammar thread. Grin

Original poster
Borka · 11/01/2017 14:55

PurpleDaisies yes exactly, it's like saying 'autism child'.

I didn't mean this to be about whether it's better to say someone's autistic or they have autism, there's never going to be an agreement on that.

But you wouldn't say an epilepsy child, a dyslexia child, an obesity woman etc.

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DixieNormas · 11/01/2017 14:47

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Superaspie · 11/01/2017 14:38

I am a person with autism.
I am an autistic person.

I don't think I am an asd person. Not in an offended way, its just bad grammar.

Rockpebblestone · 11/01/2017 14:38

I think you have, to a certain extent, have to let people self define when it is stuff that is affecting their own family lives.

Some people prefer autistic, some people prefer has autism etc

Whenever in doubt and their child was part of a discussion we were having I would use their name to refer to them and let their parent or themselves self define how they want any condition they might have affecting their life referred to.

AVirginLitTheCandle · 11/01/2017 14:35

Never mind, x posts Blush Smile

AVirginLitTheCandle · 11/01/2017 14:35

I personally wouldn't use autistic child either

What if the child themselves told you they prefer that term?

DixieNormas · 11/01/2017 14:35

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DixieNormas · 11/01/2017 14:33

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PurpleDaisies · 11/01/2017 14:32

PurpleDaisy I don't like either but some people do prefer to be called Autistic.
I'd normally use "a child/person with autism", but go along with however a person described themselves.

AVirginLitTheCandle · 11/01/2017 14:31

unless the person has chosen to use it themselves.

And the child may have decided themselves they prefer that term if they are old enough to decide.

PurpleDaisies · 11/01/2017 14:30

Oh hang on, it's the equivalent of saying "autism child" instead of "autistic child". Is that it?