The article, Why autism is not an insult? Will provide you with the best possible reasons to avoid negative connotations generally attached to the word autism. How often do you get upset when someone uses autistic as an insult? Maybe you know someone with autism, or perhaps you are autistic and find it demeaning to be described in such a negative way. You aren’t alone in that feeling! Many people on the autism spectrum, along with their family members and friends, are frustrated by the use of the word autistic as an insult, and rightfully so.
Autism comes with many challenges, but it also comes with many gifts. Those who are autistic tend to think differently from the average person, which allows them to come up with new and innovative solutions to problems that others might not notice or realize exist in the first place. Let’s take a look at why autism is not an insult and how autistic thinkers can benefit all of us who use social media daily.
Origin of Autism
The word autism comes from the Greek term for self, autós. This means that those on the spectrum have difficulty seeing things from other people’s perspectives, which can make them seem rude or mean to others. As a result, people with high-functioning autism possess the biggest frustrations in life.
They usually know how to do certain things—eat at a restaurant or go to a playdate—but they don’t always know what they should say or how others feel. It’s incredibly upsetting for them when someone gets mad at them and says, you did that on purpose!
Autistic people are so often called rude or empathetic
Unfortunately, it has become a cliché́ and a stereotype, so much so that people on the spectrum are fighting back against it in droves. It’s no longer enough to just speak out about autistics being just as valid and human as anybody else: many people on the spectrum want to make sure that nobody thinks of us as rude or empathetic, too. That we care, even when we might seem blunt. That there’s a reason why our words might come across badly. That when someone says something hurtful towards us (and yes, autistic screeching or that autistic rage again is hurtful), we can be taken seriously when explaining why it was hurtful.
How do Autistic people differ?
In reality, autistic people just have a different experience of social interactions. Think of it like a language barrier, Kerlin explains. You can be speaking French, and you don’t know Spanish. It doesn’t mean that you are stupid or terrible at communicating with people; it just means that you speak differently than someone who speaks Spanish. And once we understand how someone else experiences the world differently than us, we can better empathize with them and appreciate their uniqueness.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
We need to educate ourselves on what life with autism looks like. By definition, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects social skills, communication skills, and behavioral development. And while these characteristics can make life challenging, they’re also part of what makes each person on that spectrum unique. In fact, many people with ASD have exceptional abilities in math or memorization.
They just need their differences to be understood and accepted by others—and part of accepting another’s differences is understanding where those differences come from in the first place. So if you want to talk about people who exhibit behaviors similar to those associated with ASD (e.g., always sticking to a rigid routine), then you might consider what it means for them and others around them if they don’t.
See Also:
What is the Difference between Sensory Processing Disorder and Autism
