Alternative Names

Post Reply New Topic

I'm new here so I apologize if this has been discussed previously but - I am apparently Asperger's > _ > I will not however admit to it and find it to be a very frustrating subject to me because I do not like the sound of the word "asperger's."

It has been suggested to me that I could use the term AI or high functioning autistic as alternatives which I take no issue with because I like "ay" and "au" sounds. However, I am not sure if they are accurate alternatives. Suggestions as to alternative names for this particular...personality quirk, and/or advising me as to whether or not the aforementioned terms are appropriate would be appreciated.

I understand that this seems trivial and unimportant but it matters to me and please don't mock me. Too much anyway > _ > Thanks.

Welcome to WP! It isn't a stupid question, we've had this discussion before. AS is a variant of high functioning autism, the differing diagnisis usually relates to speech delay. So it isn't particularly inaccurate to describe youself as a high functioning autistic. Someone suggested last time (I forget who ) HFA and AS should be renamed HFA type I and Type II instead, to remove the dubious distinction.

HI THERE!! !! ! Another Welcome from WOOOYAY....

You could always tell people you are "special"...

I don't like term aspergers much since it is a label, but I like the concept that I can understand myself more by understanding aspergers. Look at it from that point of view. You aren't aspergers, aspergers is just the magnifying glass into your soul.

I just say i have very mild form of Autism, and if they ask online I give them a link to a description of Aspergers. Autism has kind of a turning heads response result, but it's the best I come up without sounding like a moron.

You could also, instead of saying anything, just give a demonstration of your stimming, jumping around flapping hands, etc. Save yourself alot of needless conversation IMHO.

I tend to use "I have a mild form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome." Using the word "autism" turns heads, and in my case often results in people expressing denial (even though I have an official diagnosis). People have a preconception of what autism is like and forget that 99% of what they know about it comes from stories about children. One friend of mine said "but you don't flap, spin or rock". I told her that I have done all three (and lots of even weirder things) all my life and still do, but that I try not to do them in public unless I'm really tired, really overloaded or really drunk. I explained that children flap and rock because it feels good, but as we grow up we eventually make a connection between our actions and the prejudice or bullying we experience. I may not face many bullies at my age, but I'm always aware that if I act different then people will treat me different and I would rather they didn't.

I just say that I have ADD. I'm almost NT, so that satisfies most. To teachers etc, I say I'm mildly autistic. Easy way to relax the rules further with homework.

Wow. Ya'll are friendly. Good suggestions thus far; most people do have sort of a knee-jerk reaction to the word "autism." I wouldn't mind admitting to Asperger's if it weren't such a godawful ugly word. I try not to use words I don't like the sound of whenever possible.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the pervasive developmental disorders like Asperger's syndrome and autism are two entirely different things. An inability to remain focused, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity are not defining features of Asperger's syndrome. For many aspies, they tend to have the opposite characteristics.

It is possible for people with ADHD can focus,those of us with ASD+ADHD more so,it's 'hyperfocusing'-being able to focus on a special interest/obsession for ages.
People exclusively with ASD can be impulsive,there is even a summary of a thread about this on the top of the list on the WP portal currently.

Keoricoiyah,you could just use the term 'autistic' because Aspergers is only another form of autism,along with Kanners et al.

*chuckles* Ahh dear, I know what you mean! I don't really like embracing a part of me that is named after some random guy who is long dead, and it's not a pretty sounding name! Aspergers just sounds yucky, but like you I find Autism a much pleasanter sound. Plus it sounds like a rainbow! Technically Asperger's is on the Autism Spectrums so you can say you have Autism: it's like the difference between saying 'I'm an artist' (Autism) and 'I do water-colour paintings' (Aspergers): one's just a tad more specific, but it's the same family. If you don't like the drop bags and stare effect that Autism can have (although I think if you can handle it then it's good fun to get people to stop and think before going along with the Rainman stereotype whenever they hear the word!), then you could use AS, ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder/Condition, PDD (Pervasive Developmental Delay - close enough match!), or if it pleases you, 'Aspie' or 'Autie' (these are affectionate terms usually used within the community; they make some of us wanna puke, but I like them!).

Alternatively you could just look people in the eye and say 'excuse me, do I LOOK normal to you?'!

Welcome to WrongPlanet by the way: glad you are enjoying your stay!

I think we should invent a word in sign language for Aspergers...

I usually say it and have only had one group of people laugh. But their minds are usually in the gutter anyways. And I just laughed back at them.

I still think it should be called High-Functioning Autism II.

HFA v.2? HFA 2.0?

I hate the word Aspergers too. I normally say that I am autistic, although I don't really tell very many people. Aspergers is a type of autism. Really, I think it should be called Asperger's Autism, because at the moment, I think many people see it as a completely different condition.

i dont like the name for it either it could be worse though like the time my siblings say "oh you have assburgers" its all over for them when they say that to me though there getting knocked the f**k out. i llike the term pdd instead

I dislike the name "Aspy" or "Aspie" even worse than the name "Asperger's", which always makes me think of Aspergum-the chewing gum that's got aspirin in it. Not sure what I prefer to call it, "pervasive developmental disorder" is so vague-yet-serious-sounding.

Hans Asperger was Austrian, so shouldn't it be pronounced oss-pergers?