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Different terms to refer to "the rest of us"

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What term do you mainly use when you talk about the majority of diagnosed people on here?
Poll ended at 24 Feb 2013, 10:29 pm
Aspies 41%  41%  [ 13 ]
Aspergians 0%  0%  [ 0 ]
People with AS or ASD 6%  6%  [ 2 ]
People on the spectrum 16%  16%  [ 5 ]
People with Aspergers 0%  0%  [ 0 ]
People with autism 3%  3%  [ 1 ]
Autistics 22%  22%  [ 7 ]
Autistic people 13%  13%  [ 4 ]
Total votes : 32

anneurysm
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25 Jan 2013, 10:29 pm

The Poll

What term do you,mainly use when you talk about the majority of diagnosed people on here? (individually and as a person, not what you think the whole forum uses)

I'm a little curious as I know everyone interprets these things differently, and feel free to say why you chose the option you did.

****

Personal, feel-good anecdote time:

I always say "people on the spectrum" because it's as inclusive as possible and doesn't make the assumption that people with classic autism are incapable of typing on forums or being able to communicate in other ways.

I envision the autism spectrum as a great big happy family where everyone respects each others abilities and differences. Even if people consider me " very high-functioning", "a success story" and keep on saying that say that I "present well", there have been times where I have completely broken down. It doesn't make me better, it just makes me different. Everyone has weaknesses, strengths and gifts to share: and I think that many people who considered to be "low functioning" have more potential than most people realize.


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Given a “tentative” diagnosis as a child as I needed services at school for what was later correctly discovered to be a major anxiety disorder.

This misdiagnosis caused me significant stress, which lessened upon finding out the truth about myself from my current and past long-term therapists - that I am an anxious and highly sensitive person but do not have an autism spectrum disorder.

My diagnoses - social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

I’m no longer involved with the ASD world.


vermontsavant
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25 Jan 2013, 10:32 pm

idiot savant


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anneurysm
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25 Jan 2013, 10:33 pm

Ugh, I can't edit the poll for an "other" option. Oh well. If you use another term, you can describe it below.


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Given a “tentative” diagnosis as a child as I needed services at school for what was later correctly discovered to be a major anxiety disorder.

This misdiagnosis caused me significant stress, which lessened upon finding out the truth about myself from my current and past long-term therapists - that I am an anxious and highly sensitive person but do not have an autism spectrum disorder.

My diagnoses - social anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

I’m no longer involved with the ASD world.


AardvarkGoodSwimmer
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25 Jan 2013, 11:24 pm

I like 'people on the spectrum,' or 'spectrum people,' or just plain 'spectrum' to describe myself. I mean, 'spectrum' sounds so much more interesting than just being plain vanilla! :jester:

And I am self-diagnosed and am comfortable being self-diagnosed.

PS I will also use the description 'aspie' which to me has a friendly ring. :D



TenPencePiece
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26 Jan 2013, 2:13 pm

anneurysm wrote:
I always say "people on the spectrum" because it's as inclusive as possible and doesn't make the assumption that people with classic autism are incapable of typing on forums or being able to communicate in other ways.

Pretty much this, usually, though if I use a term more than once in the same sentence or paragraph, I like to vary a little.


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btbnnyr
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26 Jan 2013, 2:32 pm

I say autistic people.



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26 Jan 2013, 7:06 pm

I also say autistic people.



CockneyRebel
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26 Jan 2013, 7:18 pm

Autistic people.


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AardvarkGoodSwimmer
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26 Jan 2013, 9:37 pm

And I like the potential slogan: "We are all middle functioning!" 8)

It is a great response to the seemingly conventional view (which I guess is convenient to educational and social service institutions) that a person must either be 'low'-functioning or 'high'-functioning. Can't I be good at some things but not at others and treated as an individual ? ? Can't you find what help I can use by respectfully communicating with me ? ? I would hope so! :smurf:



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20 Feb 2013, 2:34 pm

Autistic people. I was diagnosed an autistic and no one shalt ever call me otherwise. I hate how I had to label myself as "other" when creating my profile for this site.