The increasing use of 'Autistic' as an insult

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A Sinn Fein MP has moved to disassociate herself from a controversial article which compared the DUP to autistic people.

The party has found itself embroiled in another social media storm after Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew retweeted a link to an article penned by political commentator Kevin Meagher, who was once special advisor to former secretary of state Shaun Woodward.

In the piece published by the Huffington Post, Mr Meagher – a fervent supporter of a united Ireland – claimed unionist politicians “make difficult situations worse with a combination of bellicosity and mean-spiritedness”.

He added: “Frankly, if the DUP was a person, modern etiquette would see them cut them some slack on the suspicion they had a spectrum disorder.”

Mr Meagher faced a barrage of criticism on social media, with many calling him to retract his article and apologise.

The News Letter reached out to Mr Meagher for a comment yesterday, but we received no response at the time of going to press.

Let's see I've had people call me:

autistic
ret*d
stupid
diaper boy
Rain Man
a-hole
idiot
moron

Is it any wonder why I avoid social situations and NTs at all costs?

Just report them for harassment. However, I think it is better than saying someone "has Autism". That's like saying someone "has Caucasian".

I see a lot of insults like "autistic" "cancer" on 4chan and other gaming forums.
Though they are usually not directed towards people with real autism.

Surprisingly, no one has ever used such insults on me.

The people who called you those names were idiots to do so.

looks like the DJ deadmau5 is - as the kids say - cancelled.

The cheesy EDM spinner horrified fans and just about everybody else in the world when he called a track by DJ Slushii “Aids f***ing music” and “autistic s**t”, and has since been forced to apologise.


Deadmau5 - real name Joel Zimmerman - made the comments during a video game stream, and lead Slushii to reveal that yes, he actually was autistic, and brand deadmau5 a heinous person for the slurs.

Slushii took to Twitter and said: “As someone who’s actually on the autism spectrum, this is really disappointing.

“I’ve been bullied all my life. Seeing that video upsets me so much because I always looked up to @deadmau5 and I don’t take having a form of autism lightly. It’s sad as such an influential member of our community you continue to use your platform to bring others down.”

It was just three days ago that deadmau5 made Twitter comments that were seen as transphobic and homophobic, when a fan commented he must get hot DJing in a giant mouse’s head.

Deadmau5 responded: “Let’s be completely honest here, there are far worse fates and if I’m a betting man I’ll bet you suck a guy off for 40 grand ZERO questions asked.”

In a perfect example of the art of the non-apology apology, the DJ put out a statement earlier this morning.


“This has been a very difficult period and I sincerely apologise for my comments which were completely offensive and I take full responsibility for," he wrote.

“Now it’s time for me to deal with my own personal issues including finally addressing my own mental health challenges that I have wrestled with for the past several years.

I’ve consulted with friends and loved ones and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m in need of professional help to get on top of my issues and become a better me.

“Again I apologise to all of those I have offended and I will be going off the radar and taking the time necessary to work on myself.”

Jade Roper Tolbert has a clear message for the world: nobody can mess with your kids. The former Bachelor in Paradise contestant slammed a follower on Instagram after suggesting her daughter was “kind of showing signs of autism”, and that she, as a public persona, had to accept the “comments, say thanks, and move on”. What?!

The reality TV star, who’s expecting her second child — a baby boy — with husband Tanner Tolbert, shared a sweet video of Emerson, her daughter, playing with her dad at the park on Instagram stories. And unfortunately, someone felt compelled to send a nasty DM suggesting Emerson was showing signs of autism. Soon after, Roper took to Instagram stories to fire back at the rude comment she received questioning Emerson’s development.

You all, these are NOT okay messages to send people. If you all mean well, it’s still not OK to say she has autism or needs speech therapy or to comment any sort of thing like that to anyone about their child. We are her parents, we have a great pediatrician, and we know her development. Comments like this really throw me for a loop.”, she wrote in the first of a series of posts.

While this could have been the end of it, trolls kept going, as if they have the right or expertise to give an accurate diagnose just by looking at a 15-second video. Roper defended her position — as any mom would — stating that she doesn’t need to upload every single thing Emerson does or says, just to prove them wrong.