to find the phrase "a bit simple" offensive

[Glitterknickaz]

when referring to someone with learning difficulties?

or is it me? I'm quite prepared to be told it is me btw...

I don't like it.

My DS has Aspergers and both he and my DD were called retards yesterday, by a charming yr 6 boy...

I have never heard it in that context. Only heard it used about people who are a bit dim.

My ds has autism and learning difficulties and I find it a horrible expression. Why some people think it is ok is beond me.

YADNBU

No it's not you. It IS offensive. YANBU

Yeah, I've had the R word used about my kids, by several mothers in the playground.

Was just wondering if I was being oversensitive on the 'simple' thing though.

My two have SN/learning difficulties.
It's quite an old-fashioned way of referring to someone like that: when DS1 was about 15 months old he still wasn't walking (he didn't walk til he was 22 months in the end) my Uncle John quipped "not walking yet? Bit slow, isn't he?" while we were visiting my parents one day. My Mum (who's never really liked Uncle John) immediately snapped back at him, "he'll do it when he's bloody ready!" Go Mum!!
However I knew what he meant... and DS1 had a significant overall development delay, and DS2 even MORE so.
The thing is: it always sounds like they're suggesting the child is stupid.
Which always makes me want to ask them, 'ok, so your're a paediatrician then, are you?'
Oh, just remembered another classic: was having coffee and a bun with DS2 about a year ago in Evil Mx & Spx, it was a busy lunchtime and a man on his own holding his tray of goodies asked if he could share our table - I said, "OK!" So we're all sitting munching nicely when Mr Stranger makes a few comments about DS2, eg, "ooh, he's enjoying that crumpet, isn't he?" etc, when out of the blue the bloke suddenly asks, "is he Downs?"
I mean... no offence to anyone who is, or cares for, a person with Downs' Syndrome... but still!! You don't say that, do you?
I was lost for words!!

It is quite offensive and oldfashioned.

My MIL uses the term "touched" which I find even more offensive.

And no, YANBU, Glitterknickaz. Or oversensitive.
I don't think so anyway.
But I suppose people who aren't in situations where they have, or know people who have, children or adults to care for with learning difficulties, they may not realise how hurtful their comments can be.

@ scurryfunge "touched" does sound awful, like they're talking about someone who's possessed or something! Bloody sounds medieval!

yes it is offensive, very old fashioned agree

don't think i've ever heard it used tbh, touched is very strange

Diziet - saw your post re sparklers where you said "it's special needs o'clock" and was really quite . My ds1 is autistic with associated learning difficulties and although I sometimes joke about some of the stuff he does or says, I would never refer to him like that.
Everyone finds different things offensive though I suppose

Very old fashioned.
My Mum used to say 'Dolly dimple'.
ie. a bit simple
'Touched' used to be common,sounds bloody awful these days,
There are a lot of worse names though.

yanbu

I think "touched" is MIL's attempt to be kind, bizarrely.

YANBU. Simple, slow, backwards are all rude.

Sorry 2blessed - just a little family 'in' joke here at Diziet Acres, as I said both our DC are classed as SN so it's just something that Mr Diz and I use to jolly ourselves along!!

my mum still uses the term mongol!

and no she wasn't born in the Victorian era

We also refer to them both as Numpty Boys as well. Bless 'em. They are briliant, bloody do my head in sometimes though [tearing hair out emoticon]!!

Oops - 'brilliant' - must clean this keyboard!

Not defending it, rude is rude is rude.
But in Ireland ?touched? came from the phrase ?touched by God? meaning that they were closer to God i.e.: more important/ more innocent , of course this assumes that you believe in a God

if someone said dd was touched, I think I would let them be touched with my fist :o

YANBU. Its not very kind.

yes Shiney, but this isn't one of those... I saw the expression, reacted inwardly then wondered if I was right to feel that way and was canvassing opinion