"On the spectrum"

[tobee]

I should probably put this on aibu or chat but I'm getting so f%#ked off with people talking about being (more usually someone else) as being on the spectrum. As in his/her behaviour is difficult "I think they may be on the spectrum "

God what does it even mean? Do they actually know? I don't think they're necessarily being unpleasant but it's bandied about so often these days as the latest slightly abusive term for people who don't fit in with everyone else or something. And it's lazy and ignorant. They don't really know what asd means or is. They may well be right in their amateur diagnosis but it just comes over as rude, lazy and dismissive to me.

Sorry rant over.

Or when you say about your concerns for yourself or your child (both of us undiagnosed at the moment), "oh we are all a bit on the spectrum anyway, don't worry so much".

I know people don't know what to say but seesh.

It's like it's suddenly become a trendy thing! 🙄🙄🙄

The autistic spectrum as viewed by an NT.

Good one Hedgehog. I usually post the Rebecca Burgess link when I see that abomination of a "spectrum" on a thread. the-art-of-autism.com/understanding-the-spectrum-a-comic-strip-explanation/

Agree tobee The 'on the spectrum' comments I've seen on threads tend to be from people looking at bad behaviour from either kids or adults, then saying that as though it's a given, autism = bad behaviour They are so wrong.

I’m recently diagnosed with Aspergers. The doctor told me that there is NO such thing as “on the spectrum” or “a bit autistic”. It’s simply the triad of impairment that defines the condition. You either have and display them or you don’t. I have a friend who when I told her of my diagnosis replied “oh well, we’re all somewhere on the spectrum, aren’t we?” Ummm, no. We’re not, actually. So please don’t dismiss or diminish my diagnosis because it has been there all of my life and I’ve struggled massively without even knowing, until now.

I know it's largely down to lack of education combined with current level of media awareness. A little learning and all that...

As to degrees of autism, @AuntyJackiesBrothersSistersBoy, I think that's probably the neurotypical person not appreciating the autistic persons' ability to mask, copy and learn.

Been touted even more recently. I slightly feel like jumping in and saying "do you even know what spectrum you think you are referring to? Colour spectrum? What?"

It has made me very angry in the past when people have said ‘oh, but we’re all on the spectrum’, or people who I might talk to about one particular thing about myself or my child (both of us have ASD), and they say ‘oh, my Billy does that too. Perhaps he’s autistic’. I’ve lost count of how many people, including people who know us and the challenges we face on a daily basis, do this. It feels so disrespectful.
My parents in law still refer to my son (who has complex needs, full time 1-1, etc) as ‘only a little bit autistic’. It’s a complete lack of understanding at the heart of it, and I do think the way the media portray autism and other neurodiverse conditions is at least partly to blame.

I admit, I used to say "we're all on the spectrum", but only ever in private to family. I then educated myself some more and realised that the statement was wrong.

I'm not defending anyone, but I do think it can be difficult for people to comprehend that everyone on the spectrum is different. You can't compare someone like me, who went to a top university and and has lived independently etc, to somebody who is doubly incontinent, non-verbal, aggressive etc and who'll be unable to live independently, ever. That's what I dislike about the term "autistic spectrum disorder" as the "umbrella" diagnosis, the autism spectrum is far too broad for everyone to be lumped with the same diagnosis. My official diagnosis says "Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Asperger Syndrome (the assessor said that Aspergers was my "profile") with classic women and girls' presentation". Saying "I have ASD" is obviously much quicker.

(I lived independently whilst at university, I'm at home currently but do hope to move out at some point in the future).