And someone who still deals with Asperger's Syndrome, I'm going to say a couple of things.
The people who use it an insult obviously have no idea what autism really is. Here is a comparison:
From the official Autism Speaks website: "Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. We now know that there is not one autism but many types, caused by different combinations of genetic and environmental influences."
And from some people's definition on this website: Basically anyone they don't like or when said person does something against them even if it is purely off retaliation, or when they do bad in a challenge.
This, by the way, is never minding that those who can overcome autism or even have Asperger's can have some of the greatest gifts of the mind.
Also, if you use autism as an insult, you automatically lose all of my respect.
Comments
Thank you! I know austistic people who wouldn't be okay using autism as an insult!
King! I've been on both sides of the sword. I've called people autistic and I've been diagnosed with Autism. Making fun of anyone is a weak move, but tbh it's how the world was programmed one way or another, divide and conquer, reproducing with idiots and creating even bigger idiots.
iTy990 How serious was your case? When I was born, the doctors who diagnosed me predicted I would never be able to even talk, but it was a miracle my case wasn't anywhere near that bad.
If I could plus a hundred times, I would.
I never understand why people think Autism is an insult. All it is is a different way of being. Different ways of seeing the world, processing information. It can be debilitating or empowering depending on the level on the spectrum and the severity.
Thank you for spreading word about autism, just the word choice here is a little strange imo
When you say overcome, do you mean overcome obstacles that come with being autistic (such as eye contact/sensory overload/autistic meltdowns and breakdowns)? From my own research into this (since I was apparently diagnosed at 4 but my family did nothing about it) I’m getting that it’s the way your brain develops and you can’t change that. I just want to clarify what you mean because if you just mean overcoming those obstacles than I totally get it but it never like really 100% goes away (at least from what I’ve read/listened to)
bowling4fun By "overcome", I mean that you beat the odds of your own diagnosis of autism to the point where you can function as well as if you did not have a diagnosis at all. Like I'd already told iTy990, my case was supposed to be severe enough to keep me from ever being able to speak, but not only was able to learn how to talk, I was able to be raised and go to school with everyone else in my grade and I was even able to take Honors classes all throughout Middle and High School.
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My son is autistic so I know the challenges he faces but I also don’t feel people should use it as a crutch to be jerks. He has better social skills than some 30 yr olds on here and it makes me sick to see them give it a bad name.
Also icarus_mark I never woulda thought it was something you deal with so you are the perfect example of someone that doesn’t use it as a crutch ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks JustMe :) There were already people who knew prior to me making the blog last night because honestly, I've never been afraid to come out with it. But it did need to be said, and after I saw BrainJak get harped on with the word last night in Hunger, that was when I made the decision to come to his defense and just let it all out.
Carsonl I was getting attacked because NotNicky333 (who was making fun of my autism) was commenting on Calebdaboss' Blogs making fun of his weight so he/she is bad either way :P
Carsonl If I were fat or anything else I've been insulted with, I would have come out with that too, and in much the same way as I did here with autism, so it does not matter which is more or less offensive. To me, they are both equally as bad to make fun of.
Because it's autism I've dealt with, that's the issue I tackled and made a stand on. If you had an issue that hit home for you that people could mock, what would you do about it?
This, by the way, is never minding that those who can overcome autism or even have Asperger's can have some of the greatest gifts of the mind.
One of the most truthful paragraphs ever - whilst sufferers will naturally suffer in some areas, they can be pretty damn elite and untouchable in their specialist areas. Good blog. It bothers me too when people use it as an ‘insult’. People on the spectrum can be some of the friendliest you’ll ever meet.
I have Aspergers and I'm 15000% behind you on this. It's disgusting how people are willing to use autism and other mental disorders to make fun of people.
Icarus_Mark ok i see, well thats honestly amazing you're able to do things you were told you werent supposed to be able to do <3 idk the details of my diagnoses besides apparently it was out of 10 and to be considered you had to score like 4 and i got 8. I think the thing most people need to understand is with autism every person is at their own pace and im so happy youve come such a long way :)