Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Site stuff

Join our Innovation Panel to try new features early and help make Mumsnet better.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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:
Eeeek686 · 11/01/2017 14:30

Doesn't seem like a massive deal to me, just a tiny difference in word order? Why is one so different or more offensive/harmful than the other? Confused The point is easily conveyed either way, surely!

Sticks and stones and all that....

DireTires · 11/01/2017 14:30

PurpleDaisy I don't like either but some people do prefer to be called Autistic.

PurpleDaisies · 11/01/2017 14:28

Sorry that's sounds arsed but I'm just a bit confused.

DireTires · 11/01/2017 14:27

I don't like first person language (i.e. Autistic) unless the person has chosen to use it themselves.

ASD child is unusual.

ADHD child.

Dyslexic child

Dyspraxic child

Down's Syndrome child

Are these terms used?

PurpleDaisies · 11/01/2017 14:27

What's the difference between "asd child" and "autistic child"? I'm really struggling to see it. I could understand you wanting "child with asd" instead but I can't see how "autistic child" is better.

J3NN1 · 11/01/2017 14:27

Agree that saying a child with asd is better than saying asd child. They are not defined by Autism, it is something they have.
However.... my daughter is a 'child with asd' and sometimes just for ease of writing and quickness on here I'll short cut and write something like 'dd (7) asd'
I never would refer to her like that in real life but on the boards like this it is sometimes a short cut with no offence intended.

AVirginLitTheCandle · 11/01/2017 14:24

Saying someone with ASD sometimes sounds a bit odd to me. It sounds like something you carry around with you and something you can just leave at home when it gets too much.

Saying someone is ASD or is an ASD child/person makes it clear that it is part of them iyswim.

AVirginLitTheCandle · 11/01/2017 14:21

Some people prefer the use of ASD child/person.