AspieUtah wrote:
naturalplastic wrote:
As long as you don't say "autist"!
YUCK!
Logically an "autist" would be someone who "does" autism on purpose as a profession.
Merriam-Webster, the "American dictionary" offers "autist" as a noun (
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autist ), and "autistic" as an adjective (
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autistic ).
Therefore, I call myself an "autist" who is "autistic" because I exhibit evidence of "autism."
How much do the pay you for your services as an "Autist"?
If MerriamWebster endorses it then MerrianWebster can get stuffed.
Someone who does art is an ..."artist". Someone who does science is a...."scientist".
Ergo the word "autist" can only mean a "person who does autism on purpose as a craft, or a profession". There may even be some NT individuals who do do that (make a profession of faking autism as a craft or a profession) to get government assistance. But most of us on the autism spectrum do not get paid to do autism on stage, on command, as a profession.
Granted the word "autistic" was originally an adjective, and not a noun. But many adjectives become nouns.
People of the White race are called "whites" (not "Whiteners" nor "Whitists"), and Black folks are also called "Blacks" (not Blackists, nor Blackeners).
I dunno. The word just sounds so WRONG.