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?

I've never heard of AB till today. I shall have to go googling now, it sounds really strange. I was actually thinking about the mentioned small subset of autistic people who write to communicate not any one specific person.

To be honest I don't really have much of a bullshit radar. I don't have an instinctive gut reaction for when people are lying, whether face to face or online. It's only obvious to me when it's REALLY obvious, as in factually wrong or really inflammatory bullshit.

I think the small subset has the potential to be much larger tbh, but so much support is required to start typing that it's treated with much suspicion. Even though those who now type independently often clearly state they needed that support to get going (eg Naoki Higashida of the reason I jump fame - he types independently now, but needed a lot of physical support initially).