To think that calling someone "spa***c" is offensive?

[IglooLists]

I'm in a parenting group on FB that describes itself as a "respectful parenting community". Someone posted for some advice about her child's behaviour, and described him as "goes spastic". There was nothing in the post to suggest the child has any medical condition. I responded with some advice, and also said that I was struggling to get past the use of "spastic", and questioned the moderation of the group. Cue several responses to me suggesting that I don't know what the word means, it's my problem if I interpret it as offensive, it's just a word, etc etc. I felt like I'd stepped into a parallel universe!
Am I some kind of professionally offended snowflake or is that an incredibly offensive way to describe someone?

[Title amended by MNHQ]

It is offensive unless she's using it to describe a medical condition- it is a term that means a type of muscle spasm but is widely used as a derogatory term for disabled people

@IglooLists is it an international group? As people have said - in America it has a slightly different meaning.
In the UK it's definitely a no go, in the USA it's used differently.
That will make a difference to how you responded.

@stokessauce I appreciate the thoroughness of your enquiry before deciding whether the word is offensive or not 😅
I asked how much time her child gets outside because mine behaves similarly if he doesn't have a good couple hours of running around every day, including a combination of heavy work, sensory stimulation, and risky play.
Probably very imperfect advice, maybe not in the least bit helpful to the OP, but it was what came to mind reading her post.
It's not a support group for anything in particular; it's just a parenting group.

@stokessauce several people have asked that but the OP seems reluctant to say 🤷

Sorry, no, it is an international group. I wasn't trying to be coy or disingenuous about that; I was just sidetracked by a few other questions 😉 and was trying to make dinner at the same time.
I appreciate those who pointed out that it's not considered (as) offensive in the States. I imagine there are lots of American members in the group.
The context about Scope / the Spastic Society is helpful too, so thank you. I couldn't imagine how it would be inoffensive in any country, but I guess that linguistic backstory is only relevant in the UK.

I think it's Simply hurtful and derogatory.
I was called a cripple because l use walking aids . Some on here said l was being too sensitive.

My boys have an incredibly rare condition which medical term has the world spastic in it, they are more than aware of their condition and the issues it causes.
As normal teenagers they insult each other (they are very close) and call each other spastic which is technically correct. I've told them not to do it in public or to anyone else as it's very much a between them joke. Dark humour is used a lot in this house.

Agree with you, it is a disgusting and derogatory word, gives me the bike just thinking of someone using it. I'd easily call someone out for using it. Pretty normal back in the 90s school days

You were right to call them out. I knew it was an offensive word as a child 30 years ago!

Yes it’s meant offensively. Either on purpose or ignorantly.
I’m a health care professional and I’m an LD specialist.
I wouldn’t tolerate that or the R word or anything else Americans insist is just a descriptor whist using it to denigrate vulnerable people.

In the US cerebral palsy had never been referred to as spasticity. People with the condition have never been called spastics. Consequently in the US it is not a derogatory word.

As a teacher of disabled children, when I initially came across Americans using the word, I was reacting very badly and lecturing them, as you seem to have done @IglooLists . It took quite some time (and the patience and thoughtfulness of an American pediatrician in explaining it to me) for me to back down and recognise that this was a linguistic cultural difference, and a case of 'being divided by a common language'.

It still instinctively makes me cringe when I come across it from someone in the US, but I now recognise that I was mistaken in interpreting it on the way I did.

Many years ago my daughter and her best friend pushed a boy in a ditch for calling my son a spazzy (he has Down Syndrome) they were summoned to the headteacher’s office he did not tell the girls off but the boy was. I must add I reprimanded her severely!

Depends what they mean by the description.

If it's spasticity - as in a neuromuscular condition - what word can you use for when the muscles go into spasticity.

If it's the other - imo degeritory term - m description of behaviour then I'd call it out every time.

I guess we went to the same school!

Hereditary spastic paraplegia?

My ds has this.

Horrible use of the word......I remember my nana shouting at some people collecting for ' the spastics society ' as it was seen as offensive and outdated even then (( well over 30 years ago )) There's no way people don't know it's a foul term when used in a derogatory way. And to describe her own child like that is just disgusting.

Different if used as a medical term, ie spasticity of limbs......but let's face it, she wasn't.

It's been derogatory for about 3 or 4 decades in the UK

Ah... I didn't realise the R word was in the same "OK in America" camp. That explains why my comparison with that term, to illustrate why they were both offensive, drew a complete blank 😅 They must just think I'm very easily offended!

@saraclara In the US cerebral palsy had never been referred to as spasticity. People with the condition have never been called spastics. Consequently in the US it is not a derogatory word.

Ah! 💡 This is very helpful context! Thank you.

In England? I haven't heard that term used medically for at least 30 years

Have only read the Op's post.
It's offensive.

@Otterseatpuffinsdontthey yes VERY offensive in the UK.
However the OP has confirmed it's an international Facebook group and in America it actually has a different meaning and isn't necessarily considered offensive.

It seems to me the person is using the word to mean wild/crazy/uncontrollable which I would take to be an offensive use of the word as it doesn’t seem to be referring to actual muscle spasticity. Even in a country where the word is not seen offensive in itself, I would liken it a bit to saying he acts like he is disabled or like he has learning difficulties, when describing “wild” behaviour. Disabled is not an offensive word, but it could be seen as so in that context

I had a relative visiting from Australia who said the word spastic and I had to explain it’s really offensive here. She was shocked, but I suspect even though it’s acceptable in Australia it’s only in certain contexts