Spectrumite: not so common term on WP

Page 1 of 1 [ 15 posts ]

MyWorld
Deinonychus

Joined: 12 Nov 2008
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Posts: 320
Location: I'm in ur kitchenz, eatin ur foodz

14 Apr 2011, 3:39 pm

I've seen the terms "aspie" and "autie' being used a lot, but not "spectrumite." Why isn't used as often since it covers everyone on the spectrum? How often do you use it on WP?

Moog
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 25 Feb 2010
Age: 46
Gender: Male
Posts: 17,671
Location: Untied Kingdom

14 Apr 2011, 3:47 pm

I might have used it a few times. Why is it not used here so much? Dunno.

_________________
Not currently a moderator

wavefreak58
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 26 Sep 2010
Age: 67
Gender: Male
Posts: 4,419
Location: Western New York

14 Apr 2011, 3:50 pm

I think I've used it a few times. I generally just say autistic when referring to the entire spectrum. I suppose technically I should use PDD.

_________________
When God made me He didn't use a mold. I'm FREEHAND baby!
The road to my hell is paved with your good intentions.

TenPencePiece
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 11 Dec 2009
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Posts: 46,003
Location: Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

14 Apr 2011, 3:57 pm

That's an interesting term. It's definately less long-winded than saying "someone on the autistic spectrum".

_________________
I'm always here, all you have to do is ask and you shall receive

CockneyRebel
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 17 Jul 2004
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Posts: 118,215
Location: In my little Olympic World of peace and love

14 Apr 2011, 4:42 pm

I should start using it.

_________________
The Family Enigma

Verdandi
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 7 Dec 2010
Age: 55
Gender: Female
Posts: 12,275
Location: University of California Sunnydale (fictional location - Real location Olympia, WA)

14 Apr 2011, 4:50 pm

An acquaintance told me months ago that she always thought I was "spectrummy."

wavefreak58
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 26 Sep 2010
Age: 67
Gender: Male
Posts: 4,419
Location: Western New York

14 Apr 2011, 4:51 pm

Spectrumite sounds like something I could use to blow things up with.

_________________
When God made me He didn't use a mold. I'm FREEHAND baby!
The road to my hell is paved with your good intentions.

Moog
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 25 Feb 2010
Age: 46
Gender: Male
Posts: 17,671
Location: Untied Kingdom

14 Apr 2011, 5:00 pm

Verdandi wrote:

An acquaintance told me months ago that she always thought I was "spectrummy."

I like to think I'm specyummy

_________________
Not currently a moderator

CanadianRose
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Age: 54
Gender: Female
Posts: 564
Location: Canada

14 Apr 2011, 5:26 pm

This is the first time I have heard the term "spectrumite"

I wouldn't use the term because I have enough trouble explaining autism and aspergers and PDD-NOS to people. At least people have heard the term "autism". There are still many who have not heard the term aspergers or PDD-NOS. Why confuse people more?

I actually don't like the term "spectrumite" as it almost sounds degrading. My son is a person with PDD-NOS. You will note that I use the term "person" first. I have had the pleasure of spending a bit of time with an acquaintance who I learned has mild aspergers. He has some quirks, notably discomfort with eye contact, a little trouble reading complex emotions and trouble following multiple conversations. He also has his own individual personality, likes/dislikes and interests. He is a person with aspergers - not some alien, non-human.

I know we call this community "wrong planet" as if we are different and separate from everyone else - and people on the spectrum have unique characteristics - but we are all members of our neighbourhoods, cities, countries and over all community - I think that this is important to remember.

MyWorld
Deinonychus

Joined: 12 Nov 2008
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Posts: 320
Location: I'm in ur kitchenz, eatin ur foodz

14 Apr 2011, 5:28 pm

wavefreak58 wrote:

Spectrumite sounds like something I could use to blow things up with.

MyWorld
Deinonychus

Joined: 12 Nov 2008
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Posts: 320
Location: I'm in ur kitchenz, eatin ur foodz

14 Apr 2011, 5:31 pm

CanadianRose wrote:

This is the first time I have heard the term "spectrumite"

I wouldn't use the term because I have enough trouble explaining autism and aspergers and PDD-NOS to people. At least people have heard the term "autism". There are still many who have not heard the term aspergers or PDD-NOS. Why confuse people more?

I actually don't like the term "spectrumite" as it almost sounds degrading. My son is a person with PDD-NOS. You will note that I use the term "person" first. I have had the pleasure of spending a bit of time with an acquaintance who I learned has mild aspergers. He has some quirks, notably discomfort with eye contact, a little trouble reading complex emotions and trouble following multiple conversations. He also has his own individual personality, likes/dislikes and interests. He is a person with aspergers - not some alien, non-human.

I know we call this community "wrong planet" as if we are different and separate from everyone else - and people on the spectrum have unique characteristics - but we are all members of our neighbourhoods, cities, countries and over all community - I think that this is important to remember.

There is a website called Spectrumites.com which is similar to WrongPlanet, but less people. I really don't think its used in degrading sense, but a way to identify those on the spectrum.

TPE2
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 20 Oct 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,461

14 Apr 2011, 6:10 pm

An additional problem with the word "spectrumite" is that could apply to "autism spectrum" but also to any other "spectrum" (for example, schizophrenia spectrum).

CanadianRose
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 10 Sep 2009
Age: 54
Gender: Female
Posts: 564
Location: Canada

14 Apr 2011, 6:22 pm

MyWorld wrote:

CanadianRose wrote:

This is the first time I have heard the term "spectrumite"

I wouldn't use the term because I have enough trouble explaining autism and aspergers and PDD-NOS to people. At least people have heard the term "autism". There are still many who have not heard the term aspergers or PDD-NOS. Why confuse people more?

I actually don't like the term "spectrumite" as it almost sounds degrading. My son is a person with PDD-NOS. You will note that I use the term "person" first. I have had the pleasure of spending a bit of time with an acquaintance who I learned has mild aspergers. He has some quirks, notably discomfort with eye contact, a little trouble reading complex emotions and trouble following multiple conversations. He also has his own individual personality, likes/dislikes and interests. He is a person with aspergers - not some alien, non-human.

I know we call this community "wrong planet" as if we are different and separate from everyone else - and people on the spectrum have unique characteristics - but we are all members of our neighbourhoods, cities, countries and over all community - I think that this is important to remember.

There is a website called Spectrumites.com which is similar to WrongPlanet, but less people. I really don't think its used in degrading sense, but a way to identify those on the spectrum.

I am sure that the people on Spectrumites.com are using the word in a positive sense. However, if someone called my son a "Spectrumite" I would gently, but firmly advise them that I prefer they not use this word when describing him.

Xeno
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 12 Jun 2010
Age: 46
Gender: Male
Posts: 828

14 Apr 2011, 6:25 pm

Hmm... I haven't heard the term "spectrumite" before, but I think I like it. ^_^

Apera
Veteran
Veteran

Joined: 23 Feb 2008
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Posts: 871
Location: In Your Eyes

14 Apr 2011, 8:04 pm

It assumes that people know what spectrum you are referring to.

_________________
When I allow it to be
There's no control over me
I have my fears
But they do not have me

Page 1 of 1 [ 15 posts ]

Jump to:

Spectrumite: not so common term on WP Post Reply New Topic

Spectrumite: not so common term on WP