To not like the phrase 'on the spectrum'?

[CarriesBucketOfBlood]

DISLAIMER: As far as I know I do not come into frequent/ repeated contact with anyone with ASD, sensory issues or anything else that may be described as being 'on the spectrum'.

I have just read a long thread where the phrase has been used a lot, by people on both sides of the debate. As I read I got more and more uncomfortable hearing this phrase.

I think it is because I see that if it is a 'spectrum', we are all by definition on the spectrum. We are just at different ends. From neurotypical to atypical. However I think that this phrase misrepresents atypical people because it is now used as a way to exclude people from 'the normal', which is different to the phrase's actual meaning.

Furthermore, I am sure that there must be more than one spectrum, and to lump all these people together is lazy at best, and insulting at worst, because it doesn't seem like we are taking these issues seriously.

I may not be explaining my reasons for being uncomfortable with this phrase clearly. In which case I do apologise. I am also very aware that people/ parents of people who are atypical may come along and say that they are very happy using this phrase, in which case my mind may be put at rest.

So AIBU to dislike this phrase?

Fanjo I really don't believe that people with autism are abnormal. But I do think that a lot of people do, and by them whispering 'Oh yes. He's on the spectrum' they are using a euphemism for abnormality.
Equally though, as shown here, there are people who do not use the phrase in this way.

Fanjo - I find HFA (as a term) really really annoying because so many people misunderstand it and use it to mean something completely different.

Crystal it's what you get told when your ASD is very mild. I have that diagnosis and was told it was borderline whether they'd diagnose me or not

Also hate when people say 'autism is a bonus and not a disability'. It isn't a bonus for my Dd not to be able to speak read or write or live independently.

Wow I hate a lot of things!

Carries..I see, but I don't think not using the phrase would be helpful.

More helpful would be to say to the person...'yes, and? So what".

Crystal many, many people have autistic traits but don't have autism and wouldn't get a diagnosis. That phrase irritates me slightly, unless it's used by someone who is currently going through the diagnostic process, you either have ASD or you don't.

I may actually kill the next person who says to me 'we are all on the spectrum somewhere, my son definitely has autistic traits, he likes to line up his books in alphabetical order'

This is exactly what I'm wondering about the term 'autistic traits'. I've generally seen it used by people claiming it is difficult for them to be flexible about short-notice changes in plans because they have 'autistic traits'.

It sounds like a questionable self-diagnosis to me, but I'm happy to be put straight if 'autistic traits' is a recognised condition.

I hate the idea that we're all on the spectrum, we're not.

My youngest can be a bit black & white & rigid & anxious & shy & quiet & socially inept. However he is not on the autistic spectrum, nor 'nearly' on it.

His older brother is very severely autistic (non verbal) & very disabled (2:1 care required for life). He's not just a bit different he's severely disabled.

Mind you I don't think it's that helpful when those with HFA claim to speak for him, his experience is very different from theirs. But conversely I'n not sure the spectrum idea helps with people's understanding of functioning.i know people with HFA who are very disabled by their condition. In fact to confuse matters more on the last year ds1 has become very much more disabled by his autism - but his autism hasn't changed - if anything he has more receptive language - but his anxiety has massively increased leading to a very different outlook for him. Those with HFA who are very disabled by their condition also tend to have high anxiety levels.

Crystal I think it's a diagnosis when you have other conditions - on its own it's not, but in my case, I have ADHD, GAD and "autistic traits". Not sure id have the latter as a diagnosis without the others

Yep, I'd agree with "questionable self-diagnosis"! It's definitely not a condition on its own.

Thank you, dipplodycus

It always strikes me as being akin the the food 'intolerances' that were so fashionable a few years ago. It seems to be this year's self-proclaimed cross-to-bear.

Thanks, Lashes, very helpful

My son has a diagnosis of autism (high functioning) and co-morbid OCD. It annoys me when people say "we're all a little bit ASD/OCD". Really? No, not true. I had to correct a woman in a shop recently who said several times..." I'm very OCD about..." It really pissed me off because she was saying she HAD to have her hair a certain way!! That's NOT ocd....not the utterly crippling condition my son displays, at least.

Yanbu

Lashes, so have you been diagnosed with ADHD, GAD and ASD? Because as far as I'm aware "autistic traits" isn't a diagnosis because it isn't a condition.

Diploddycus I have a piece of paper somewhere saying "mild aspergers" but most HCP refer to it as autistic traits in me as its apparently mild

Been diagnosed with the other two as well, but they're more prominent than the ASD

As a parent of a DD who is more than likely 'on the spectrum' (her other disabilities overshadow it so no assessment needs to be made, she is already at a specialist school) I'm not offended by the term. I may be an unusual case though, I don't mind using the phrase 'normal'/'not normal' to describe DD either. She's not normal. Normal people are not fed through tubes. Normal people don't have dozens of operations before they are 5. Normal people have clear brain scans. Normal people aren't always happy. Normal people don't find pleasure in the simplest things. Normal people don't light up my world and inspire me. Who wants to be 'normal' anyway!

I know people who are easily offended by such terms though, I think it's a personal thing.

I don't mind 'not normal' either. There is (unfortunately) nothing normal about ds1's life. I refer to his normal though.

Ya u my dd is on the spectrum, Autism is a Spectrum disorder, not all those with ASD present the same, it recognises differences in the condition. It is used to describe Autism, not NT.

Meant yabvu

I don't like "normal" because I don't see why everyone else is "normal" and I'm not. Who decides? It's arbitrary