PIP for Aspergers

seven-day-weekend

McKneff wrote: »

Sorry all, but is it just me who finds the word 'aspies' offensive.

If it is only me, then please talk me out of it.

Many people with AS use this term to describe themselves, so that is why I used it. I do not measn to offend anyone, and if it is classed as offensive I won't use it again.

skintandscared_2

McKneff wrote: »

Sorry all, but is it just me who finds the word 'aspies' offensive.

If it is only me, then please talk me out of it.

It's not remotely offensive. It's a word that people with Asperger's have adopted themselves, to avoid having to say "I have Asperger's" or "I suffer from Asperger's" - they just say "I'm an aspie". I find "suffer" and "disabled" offensive because it isn't a disability - it's a different ability. My aspie partner is the most incredible man I've ever met and can do things with computers like nobody I know (despite not being able to work a washing machine LOL!) He's also an incredibly talented artist. Bill Gates & Einstein are/were aspies. I don't think they would considered themselves disabled...

Beetlemama

My score was 38 but a lot of the questions were OCD indicative too, obsessing about numbers, seriously over-planning everything - when we go on holiday, I'll have had the case packed for a month and I'll have to have unpacked and repacked it a billion times because I've convinced myself I've randomly removed all the things we need by accident for no apparent reason. Anyone else catch themselves thinking "How do you 'enjoy' meeting new people??" lol surely you just meet them and then decide if you like them?

DS's score was 48 - no shock there.

nannytone_2

i hadnt come across the numbers thing before.
counting is another habiy of mine. its handy now my sight is so bad, but even as a child i would count anything and everything.
like how many steos between fatesways, and how many cars passed me on my way to school.
i know how many stairs there are in every station i use on my way to visit my son .......

someone also pointed out to me several years ago, that i also hold nt breath a lot. im very aware of how often i do it now, but at the tme i hadnt noticed ...

mazza111

Own_My_Own wrote: »

There would be uproar if people with downs syndrome where called 'downies' or similar.

I'm ashamed to say I've heard my son using this word, needless to say he was pulled up and got a right earbashing. He wasn't using it to describe someone with downs but one of his friends who is a bit intellectually challenged. Needless to say he's never said it again.

TBH it's the first time I've heard the term aspies, but my son using downies was the first time I'd ever heard that name either


I don't agree with it, you could say it's the same with black rap stars using the N word, does that make it ok to use it?

I think as a society as a whole we need to stop using labels for people. I know the dd is very self conscious on the days she has to use her wheelchair, or sits with her hood up so no one recognises her. She just wants to avoid everyone on those bad days, thankfully she's getting there, as long as she doesn't meet anyone who knows her

System

I recently met someone with aspergers, i wouldn't have really known if she hadn't of told me. My initial impression was she was maybe a little eccentric but she'd a lovely girl. We talked a lot about it and she was explaining to me how it's kind of literally having you;'re brain wired a different way to other people. She said picking up on body language and maintaining eye contact were difficult for her.

I then watched a documentary on children with autism/aspergers and it was a real eye opener. Some of the children had very challenging behaviour and i could understand why they would have care/mobility needs and need to claim DLA. But as others have said its a spectrum and different people have different needs even though they are all under the same "umbrella" so to speak (not so different to MH which i have my own issues with-what affects one person one way can not affect someone else etc).

skintandscared_2

mazza111 wrote: »

I'm ashamed to say I've heard my son using this word, needless to say he was pulled up and got a right earbashing. He wasn't using it to describe someone with downs but one of his friends who is a bit intellectually challenged. Needless to say he's never said it again.

TBH it's the first time I've heard the term aspies, but my son using downies was the first time I'd ever heard that name either


I don't agree with it, you could say it's the same with black rap stars using the N word, does that make it ok to use it?

I think as a society as a whole we need to stop using labels for people. I know the dd is very self conscious on the days she has to use her wheelchair, or sits with her hood up so no one recognises her. She just wants to avoid everyone on those bad days, thankfully she's getting there, as long as she doesn't meet anyone who knows her

I am sick to the back teeth of people assuming that nicknames are always wrong. What is the matter with "aspie"??? People with Asperger's have CHOSEN to use this word to describe THEMSELVES. It is not in any remote way the same as the "N" word for black people, which was intended as derogatory and offensive. The word aspie is neither. And why is the word "downie" bad? I don't find it derogatory or offensive. There is a clear difference between these words and words such as !!!!!! and retard, which are clearly deragatory and there is no misinterpretation if they are used! !!!!!! will people stop finding problems that don't exist?!

mazza111

I'm not saying it's right or wrong. I find it derogatory, just as I found my son saying downie as derogatory, I've found most people with downs very sweet, and shouldn't be confused with stupid people.

But years ago the word !!!!!! and retard were completely acceptable. We used to use words like cripple and handicapped.

BTW I don't think rap stars mean the N word in any derogatory term either.

But I've now contradicted myself by calling people with my dd's condition bendies.

I think it just goes to show that we all have different tolerances when it comes to things like this.

McKneff

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Many people with AS use this term to describe themselves, so that is why I used it. I do not measn to offend anyone, and if it is classed as offensive I won't use it again.

I dont think it's offensive per se SDW, i just want to stick up for them if you see what I mean. I just feel (and that's me personally) that its a bit disrespectful to them.

McKneff

mazza111 wrote: »

I'm not saying it's right or wrong. I find it derogatory, just as I found my son saying downie as derogatory, I've found most people with downs very sweet, and shouldn't be confused with stupid people.

But years ago the word !!!!!! and retard were completely acceptable. We used to use words like cripple and handicapped.

BTW I don't think rap stars mean the N word in any derogatory term either.

But I've now contradicted myself by calling people with my dd's condition bendies.

I think it just goes to show that we all have different tolerances when it comes to things like this.

Thanks for that, derogatory was the word I was looking for.

I also have absolutely hated the word retard or cripple. Truly awful

I had to smile though when you said 'bendies' I'm not offended by that at all cos I have no idea what it means