Autistic Vocabulary

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One thing that I keep hearing about autistics is that they see/feel/process things differently than the neurotypical. If this is true, then we are truly at a disadvantage because our vocabulary is based on the neurotypical perceptions. If we perceive things differenty how can we describe our feelings if there is no known word for what it is we are feeling? This is especially difficult in trying to explain sensory issues.

The word anxiety seems to be a catch all descriptive. However there are various severities of anxiety as well as various catalysts. Some anxiety is considered normal while other anxiety is considered abnormal, but it is all still considered anxiety. Is sensory anxiety different than social anxiety? If it is, how can we explain it to others in a way that they will understand?

Perhaps we should create an autistic vocabulary to define the autistic way of perceiving things? I will try the first word; UNFUNCT. Unfunct would be when something is not broken, but still unusable due to some other factor. For example, if someone leaves their belongings on a chair, the chair is not broken but still unsusable for its proper function, therefore it is unfunct. An unfunct item can cause great stress because it creates a dilemna for the person who is desiring to use it. Should I move the belongings that are on the chair even if they are not mine? Will the person get mad that I moved their belongings. Where should I move the belongings so it doesn't make something else unfunct?

Vocabulary is never created specifically to create a vocabulary, unless you're making names for animal species as a taxonomist which I guess calls for it.

Harsh!

I agree with Rordiway. The aspie/autie vocabulary is written by NT professionals according their diagnostic taxonomies.

Minority groups, especially misunderstood ones, often develop a language of liberation.

We have the beginnings in the affectionate shortenings of NT desciptions, like stim, and the appropriation of phrases like 'melt-down' to describe something internally specific, instead of being a description of external behaviour. Some of my NT friends now know the difference between something being 'an Interest', and me being interested in something.

But we haven't gotten very far with descriptions of the special ways we conceptualize and visualize. We need to build the vocabulary for ourselves first, and then try to explain it to NTs.

I like Unfunct. It has a nice bummer ring to it, and means the situation, the dilemma, and the anxiety/lock-up all in one.

I want a word for what happens when NTs ask "but what do you WANT to do". I describe it as a minefield, but that's too general.

Language is plastic. We can change it as we use it in living contexts, to express what we mean, without inventing a linguistic ghetto for ourselves.

For example. Today at work was one of my more aspie days. I've had a lot of stress in the office, have been off work sick, and the way I coped today was to draw a cool shutter down around myself, and just bury myself in my work. I sat in the back of my own head, thinking my own thoughts, doing the technical stuff on automatic pilot. Everyone could see I was busy, they didn't bother me, I didn't bother them.

There. That describes an aspie experience without inventing new words, doesn't it? Aspie is a word that has evolved... surely others will too? (For example, as pointed out above, stim, meltdown, etc.)

I agree with Rordiway. When talking to NTs, we are speaking at cross purposes more often than not. The concepts we need to express do not exist in their little minds or in their world.

My analogy goes like this:
Ptolemy was the astronomer who, starting with a geocentric model, developed that convoluted mathematical system that accurately predicted the movement of planets and stars without letting go of the basic premise that the Earth was at the center.

As far as Asperger's is concerned, Tony Attwood is a new Ptolemy. In his own, NT-biased way, he describes an outward appearance fairly well, but does not seem to have talked to a real-live Aspie at all. What we need is a new Copernicus. Someone who is not afraid to throw away the old, unworkable premise.

But mgran is sort-of right in that it has to evolve naturally. Children naturally invent new languages. The new-fangled abbreviations in text messaging, annoying as they are, is an example. It's a new world, and the kids are the natives.

Natural languages themselves are adapted to the way NTs view the world.

Some constructed languages are particularly adapted to autistic way of thinking and communicating, but good luck trying to find someone to talk to. See Lojban.

It looks like I'll be helping start a Neuro club at the elementary school where I coach rugby. I'll see what the kids come up with.

We need a word for losing some of your abilities when under stress...

And one for when you go into narrow focus and block out most input...A single word that's not too unwieldy to say would be nice. I thought of calling it 'vortexing', that sounds clumsy though. You could say microfocus I suppose.

I think you make a good point, Rordiway. Seems like some words are already being adopted into having new/extra autism-specific meanings, i.e. "meltdown" & " shutdown." As you say, there's just no pre-defined terms to describe such experiences. -- and IIRC Donna Williams came up with those, and not any non-autistic autism 'experts.'

Hmm, if humans can be 'unfunct' I think use that describe me in an overloading environment which is resulting in near-catatonia.

Personally, I'd like a word for you ask someone a question and they give an answer to a different question.