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?

Thanks Lance and Sewing

I can relate to parties too. Rarely get invites, but the worst ever was ds2 last year had his own party and only 2 children from his class turned up, one of those also have SN and attend nurture with him. Lots didn't reply, some said they weren't coming , some said they were coming and just didn't . Luckily we had a few family and friends children there too, but I was devastated. Ds2, fortunately was not . On a positive note the one other little girl who came from his class has just invited him to her party. The are some great people in the world and you do find them when you feel like everything is against you.

Autism Spectrum Disorder, now also referred to as Autism Spectrum Condition, was explained to me as a Spectrum of difficulties which make up the triad of impairments and to get a diagnosis of an ASD there has to be a number of presenting impairments on all three sections (for want of a better word) of the triad. If there are not enough presenting impairments then a diagnosis of ASD will not be given.

In our sons case the 3Di result was clinically significant, clinically significant and significant in the three areas of the triad and there for he met the criteria for a diagnosis.

If you Google Triad of impairments you can scroll down to images and see what I mean

If the need arises I will say that my son is on the Autism spectrum and I would like to think that it will lead to a more compassionate response.

to all who have children that have expressed suicidal thoughts, my son hasn't mentioned suicide since he was 10 but I totally understand.

I don't like it when I hear the phrase "we're all on the spectrum somewhere" IMO it diminishes the impact of my sons diagnosis.

I'm on the spectrum and like the term as it describes the diversity and different levels of difficulty well.

YANBU to dislike it though - everyone has their pet hates.

Fenella and Pagwatch, you made me laugh. Thank you.

High Functioning Autism (HFA) is used to distinguish between those who had a language delay (HFA) and those who didn't (Asperger's).

"Traits" is a word used to describe those who show traits of autism but whose traits are not clinical enough to merit a diagnosis of autism.

There is no official diagnosis of "borderline" or "mild" Asperger's.

I don't like or agree with the 'everyone is on the spectrum', but I do use 'Autistic Traits' wrt ds - he is not autistic, he has a genetic condition - I use that term because it does help to describe the extreme nature of his reaction to loud sudden noises, or why he has ear defenders, why he needs routine, why he struggles with other children, why his diet is so limited or why his sensory issues means he runs his fingers (and tongue!) over brick grouting repeatedly, and has ribbons to twiddle in his buggy. I don't know if it is wrong of me to do this, but people seem to understand this explanation.

Headfirst, this leapt out at me: he is really clever and excelling educationally so they turned him down.

If he continues to do well, that's great. But if he starts to slip back, don't let anyone fob you off with 'Oh, we can't do anything as he's not actually behind.' They tried to tell us that about DS, but in the end he had a full-time statement throughout secondary, and came out with some jolly splendid GCSEs and A-levels -- not quite the A* everywhere level, because his difficulties kept him out of some lessons entirely, but not far off.

Oh God, I know we've gone totally off topic but it's very very heartwarming to read that others are in the same position. (Sorry, OP but thank you for the thread ).

All my days at the moment are filled with sadness at the desperate attempts of my dos to "fit in".

Every time I am asked if my son has an amazing/special ability I say "yes he has the amazing ability to meltdown in 2seconds flat"

I have a diagnosis of autism (assessed as an adult) and I have a DS who has a diagnosis of ASD. I use the phrase 'on the spectrum' quite often and I've never found it a problem.

I read something online a while ago which explained that the spectrum doesn't run from NT to autism, but it's a spectrum that reflects the different presentations of autism, which makes more sense to me, and it's what I think about when I talk about being on the spectrum.

DS gets a very high level of support as he's in an independent special school which is just for HFA/Aspergers. It was a real ordeal to get him there though, we went through two tribunals to force our council to fund it. He is bright and is expected to do well in his GCSEs this summer, but he has huge anxiety issues and is on anti depressants.

I have two children.
DS is 10 and has a diagnosis of ASD.
DD is 7 and has just received a diagnosis of ASD and ADHD.
They are both Autistic and have conditions that place them 'on the spectrum'

DH and I are both pernickety adults who like things to be just so. DH is an awkward antisocial bugger as well. I am easily overwhelmed and get very stressed and panicky by 'stuff'. Neither of us are autistic although we may have a higher level of autistic traits than some people.

If one more person says 'well, we're all on the spectrum somewhere' I swear i will go ballistic. And yes, mother, that includes you.

Headfirst :( that upset me reading it! I hope your son finds school okay, he has the advantage that his condition is noticed and has support - I had a horrible time because no one noticed until I was 17.

Don't let them use the "he's intelligent" as a reason to not provide the support. Regardless of intelligence, if someone has an SN it should be supported. Keep pushing

does it really matter what terminology we use ds2 has autism and learning disabilliities a generation ago he would of been described as mentally handicapped or retarded not using words because they cause offence wont change his disabillity.

I don't think there are many "facts of the matter" when it comes to ASD. It's still poorly understood and vaguely and controversially defined.
Being on the spectrum seems as good a way to express "having ASD", or traits of ASD, as any other.
This terminology will continue to be distorted and evolve over time as other descriptors do.
I've heard quite a few people being described as "a bit spectrumy"(!) recently.

Yes, I think it does matter what terminology is used.

Just because language changes does not mean we should just give up the ghost and accept terms which we find stigmatising or demeaning.

but the only reason why they are stigmatising and demeaning are because they are used as insults my son is retarded in his development and thats fine because thats the way it is but the term retarded is now used to insult people but it wont change my son.

Here's Lorna Wing's visual representation of the autism spectrum. Please can you point out where NT people fit on it if you think everyone is on it somewhere?

That's fine for you.
I don't feel the same.
If I have had retarded shouted at my son in the street and seen it on here and elsewhere as a casual insult, I don't have to accept it in ordinary conversation. It is no longer just a medical term. It's a loaded term and I don't accept it.
Exactly the same as when I was running a division at work I didn't tolerate my boss calling me 'girl'
It's an issue of respect and dignity for me.

I dislike spectrum as a see a beginning and an end where in reality autism is more like DNA barcode where a person can have many highs and lows. dS2 is classed as severe autism (although in public if I need to explain about him I use severe learning diffucties to avoid rainman etc) but although severe in some areas he is very touchy, has no problems with noise and can do things like queue very well which many children on the autistic spectrum with higher funtioning (not keen on that expression either) would find insufferable. Lots of people tell me that everyone is on the spectrum, I feel it's their attemp at empathy.

'High functioning' is a very misleading term. It gives the impression that it's about severity of symptoms but it isn't. It relates solely to IQ. An IQ over 70 = high functioning. An IQ below 70 = low functioning.

The problem is how do you assess the IQ of someone with a communication disorder. Do the have a low score because they are intellectually impaired or because they're shut in?

The phrase "we're all on the spectrum somewhere" may or may not be medically accurate, but it's actually an expression of inclusion rather than exclusion in my opinion, whereby people are recognising that those with ASD are not 'other' and 'peculiar', but are very much part of the same humanity, deserving of the respect that accords"

I find 'we're all on the spectrum somewhere' so offensive it feels like my head is going to explode. I feel like it minimises my disability and makes me feel like they're saying 'stop moaning, it's just as hard for us too'.

"Oh we're all on the spectrum" to me is along the lines of "a bit ocd"

I think (dont quote me) that hfa often has no language delay? It doesnt help that aspergers is still a diagnosis in the uk, but been taken under the area of hfa in america