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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ please don't use the term 'ASD child'

33 replies

Borka · 11/01/2017 14:11

You've given Tuesday's blog of the day the title 'My ASD child is not a genius but he is amazing'. ASD isn't an adjective and shouldn't be used like this - it's like saying Down Syndrome child or Special Needs child, which I'm assuming (hoping) you wouldn't do.

You could use either 'autistic child' (which is how the blogger refers to her son in the post) or 'child with ASD'.

OP posts:
AVirginLitTheCandle · 11/01/2017 14:21

Some people prefer the use of ASD child/person.

AVirginLitTheCandle · 11/01/2017 14:24

Saying someone with ASD sometimes sounds a bit odd to me. It sounds like something you carry around with you and something you can just leave at home when it gets too much.

Saying someone is ASD or is an ASD child/person makes it clear that it is part of them iyswim.

J3NN1 · 11/01/2017 14:27

Agree that saying a child with asd is better than saying asd child. They are not defined by Autism, it is something they have.
However.... my daughter is a 'child with asd' and sometimes just for ease of writing and quickness on here I'll short cut and write something like 'dd (7) asd'
I never would refer to her like that in real life but on the boards like this it is sometimes a short cut with no offence intended.

PurpleDaisies · 11/01/2017 14:27

What's the difference between "asd child" and "autistic child"? I'm really struggling to see it. I could understand you wanting "child with asd" instead but I can't see how "autistic child" is better.

DireTires · 11/01/2017 14:27

I don't like first person language (i.e. Autistic) unless the person has chosen to use it themselves.

ASD child is unusual.

ADHD child.

Dyslexic child

Dyspraxic child

Down's Syndrome child

Are these terms used?

PurpleDaisies · 11/01/2017 14:28

Sorry that's sounds arsed but I'm just a bit confused.

DireTires · 11/01/2017 14:30

PurpleDaisy I don't like either but some people do prefer to be called Autistic.

Eeeek686 · 11/01/2017 14:30

Doesn't seem like a massive deal to me, just a tiny difference in word order? Why is one so different or more offensive/harmful than the other? Confused The point is easily conveyed either way, surely!

Sticks and stones and all that....

PurpleDaisies · 11/01/2017 14:30

Oh hang on, it's the equivalent of saying "autism child" instead of "autistic child". Is that it?

AVirginLitTheCandle · 11/01/2017 14:31

unless the person has chosen to use it themselves.

And the child may have decided themselves they prefer that term if they are old enough to decide.

PurpleDaisies · 11/01/2017 14:32

PurpleDaisy I don't like either but some people do prefer to be called Autistic.
I'd normally use "a child/person with autism", but go along with however a person described themselves.

DixieNormas · 11/01/2017 14:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DixieNormas · 11/01/2017 14:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AVirginLitTheCandle · 11/01/2017 14:35

I personally wouldn't use autistic child either

What if the child themselves told you they prefer that term?

AVirginLitTheCandle · 11/01/2017 14:35

Never mind, x posts Blush Smile

Rockpebblestone · 11/01/2017 14:38

I think you have, to a certain extent, have to let people self define when it is stuff that is affecting their own family lives.

Some people prefer autistic, some people prefer has autism etc

Whenever in doubt and their child was part of a discussion we were having I would use their name to refer to them and let their parent or themselves self define how they want any condition they might have affecting their life referred to.

Superaspie · 11/01/2017 14:38

I am a person with autism.
I am an autistic person.

I don't think I am an asd person. Not in an offended way, its just bad grammar.

DixieNormas · 11/01/2017 14:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Borka · 11/01/2017 14:55

PurpleDaisies yes exactly, it's like saying 'autism child'.

I didn't mean this to be about whether it's better to say someone's autistic or they have autism, there's never going to be an agreement on that.

But you wouldn't say an epilepsy child, a dyslexia child, an obesity woman etc.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 11/01/2017 14:56

Yes, once I'd had my coffee I realised it was a grammar thread.

I love a grammar thread. Grin

Borka · 11/01/2017 14:59

Well, yes and no - it is a grammar thread but not just a grammar thread.

OP posts:
AVirginLitTheCandle · 11/01/2017 14:59

You wouldn't say epilepsy child, a dyslexia child or an obesity woman however you might say epileptic child, dyslexic child or obese woman.

In which case could ASD not stand for autism spectrum disordered?

Borka · 11/01/2017 15:03

'I am autistic' and 'I am autism' don't mean the same thing.

'I have an Autistic Spectrum Disorder' doesn't mean 'I am an Autism Spectrum Disorder'

OP posts:
Borka · 11/01/2017 15:04

Cross post - but I don't think that ASD is generally taken to mean autism spectrum disordered.

OP posts:
Superaspie · 11/01/2017 15:12

It's in a similar vein to saying someone is ocd.

I haven't come across anyone saying they are a bit asd just because they have a preference towards something or a single sensory issue or something similar but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.