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To be or not to be (autistic)

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Dreadful Dante

Well-Known Member
There is a debate on why someone with autism shouldn't be called someone 'autistic'. As the adjective defines the person, instead of assigning the issue to the person.

So, supposedly, by saying someone IS autistic, we're defining them with a problem when in fact the problem is only part of them. Or is it?

When someone hurts a toe and behaves weirdly because of it, they're hurt. We're defining the person by the wound. It's temporary and doesn't affect such things as personality. Soon enough "he hurt his toe" will substitute "he is hurt".

Autism, on the other hand, affects each and every way of socialising, living, thinking, feeling, looking, etc. There will always be a difference if you have autism, even if you've adapted. Something "will be off".

My question is:

As autism influences someone personality-wise, would it really be bad to say someone IS autistic instead of HAS autism?

(I'm thinking of this in a loving environment. To someone dogmatic, saying "IS" makes a huge negative difference)
 
I have a form of autism, therefore I am autistic. Being on the spectrum affects most all facets of my life, how I communicate or not, how I act, its who I am and always will be. I have been Aspie my whole life, although my therapist says I am on the line between HFA and Aspergers but now lumped under ASD. Its more about how others, NT's, see and accept autistic people. The spectrum is huge, from those that are higher functioning and able to live on their own or with minimal support/backup plans like I have, to those that need constant care. I do not feel its bad at all to say someone is autistic in general. Here in the states, they tend to add the functioning label in front of that, so I am considered high functioning autistic w/selective non verbal (I freeze up when in high stress sitituations). That is what it states in my paper work for the state vocational rehab office that helps me with my job and if I need to find a different job in the future(I hope not!) The family nearby has a child that is lower functioning and needs constant care and support. But both myself and this child both have autism, and we are autistic. Its only negative if its taken as such, it depends on the context of the sentence or the person speaking/listening. Mike
 
Indeed. It's preferrable to have other titles from what I can see. Autism is still a very taboo thing for most people and there are horrendous misconceptions about it.

Among good friends and supporting family, though, I see no possible harm.
 
I'm autistic. I'm also short.
I am not "a person with autism" any more than I am "a person with shortness." :D
I don't care for person-first language, I prefer identity-first language.

My diagnosis doesn't define me. But, I definitely would rather be called autistic. "A person with autism" makes me feel like the speaker thinks I have cooties, :fearscream: and needs to keep me at arm's length. It's just too fussy-sounding for my taste.

Autism as a topic needs to be lightened up, methinks. ;) :D :p :tonguewink:

My being autistic means I behave and communicate differently, sure. But, autism is as much about strengths as it is about challenges.

Call me whatever you please.
Just don't call me late for dinner. :tonguewink:
 
Well, I am not autistic at all, but I do have aspergers. To be honest, why did professer aspergers seperate the two, if they are one and the same thing?

People ask: do you suffer depression? No, I don't, but I do get extremely sad, but I have had depression from taking prozac and know without a doubt, it is not depression I am suffering from. But if one wants to insist that aspergers is autism then really I am depressed, but I know I am not.
 
Suzanne said:
Well, I am not autistic at all, but I do have aspergers. To be honest, why did professer aspergers seperate the two, if they are one and the same thing?
Click to expand...

He did not. The US health system did that.

I think the construction of "I am a person with Asperger's" is possibly more accurate, because that is not the only thing about me, as other phrases seem to imply.
 
Suzanne said:
Well, I am not autistic at all, but I do have aspergers. To be honest, why did professer aspergers seperate the two, if they are one and the same thing?
Click to expand...

It takes time for a recently "discovered" disorder to be named and studied in depth. Asperger's IS HFA. The variety of terms in some years will probably merge in one or both will be used as synonyms.

Till now, there is still the conception that both differ. The inability to naturally develop appropriate social behaviour to some extent is present in all individuals in the spectrum.

Asperger's is a shorter term than
High-Functioning Autism, that's a plus.

Link for more info below:

https://www.autismhampshire.org.uk/...asperger-syndrome-what-is-the-difference.html
 
I prefer IS [to be] over HAS [to have]. It is clearly one of my traits (though it need not be at the center of every conversation...).

In the same way,
  • I AM right-handed. I don't HAVE right-handedness.
  • I AM Caucasian. I don't HAVE Caucasian[ism?], etc.
 
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