Is "on the spectrum" offensive?

[Anonymous]

I have recently been in situations where adults casually referred to awkward or socially unaware colleagues as "on the spectrum." I find this frustrating and offensive (and often inaccurate) and the term itself bothers me. I am a mom of a SN kid so definitely sensitive to this kind of thing.. is this objectively offensive? How about if referring to a kid with an ASD diagnosis?

[Anonymous]

If it's true then it's not offensive. If a gay person says "I know it's so gay of me, but I LOVE Bette Middler" then that is not offensive. If a straight person says it, it is. You see?

[Anonymous]

I've had this "diagnosis" applied to me, and yes, I find it offensive. It's usually acquaintances who think you're weird and believe if they couch in it medical terms, it's helpful instead of bullying.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't say it to someone's face. But sometimes that's what I think is going on.

I thought we were all supposed to be proud of people being on the spectrum... how can you be proud of something and also find it offensive to say?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it's true then it's not offensive. If a gay person says "I know it's so gay of me, but I LOVE Bette Middler" then that is not offensive. If a straight person says it, it is. You see?

Disagree with both points. It's a colloquialism and may or may not be literally accurate but we all can understand what it means. And, with the broadening of the ASD diagnostic definition, it may all be accurate.

[Anonymous]

On the spectrum as a term is not offensive. However, saying someone is on the spectrum because you perceive them as quirky can be offensive and derogatory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On the spectrum as a term is not offensive. However, saying someone is on the spectrum because you perceive them as quirky can be offensive and derogatory.

This is what I think too. I hate armchair diagnoses that are often given in bad faith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:On the spectrum as a term is not offensive. However, saying someone is on the spectrum because you perceive them as quirky can be offensive and derogatory.

This is what I think too. I hate armchair diagnoses that are often given in bad faith.

Socially accepted bullying.

[Anonymous]

People aren’t going to stop doing this. They refer to all kinds of things as “bipolar” as well. I get mad, but definitely can’t do anything about it.

[Anonymous]

My husband and son are high-functioning autistic. One of my neighbor's son also has ASD. My other neighbor's husband too. All different degrees and presentations of autism, with different associated disorders or learning disabilities, and of course, different skills and strengths.

So if I hear someone say casually, but without malice, that so-and-so is or could be on the spectrum... I don't mind at all and do not find it offensive in the least. The CRITICAL point is that their words and tone are not meant unkindly, but more along the lines of needing to accommodate certain foibles.

[Anonymous]

Not discriminatory as a way to talk about someone with Autism - ie "my son is on the spectrum." But inappropriate to diagnose someone else without being a doctor doing an eval. Presumably, the comments are also related to what a NT would judge to be "odd" or even "antisocial" behavior, so it carries judgment in the way it's being used.

I can see a circumstance where someone used it in a not demeaning way and would consider that ill informed or ill advised but not discriminatory - ie "John just doesn't like big crowds, so he keeps to himself at casual work gatherings. I think he might be in the spectrum. He seems happy enough looking at his phone over there, so lets not bother him."

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, self-diagnosing and armchair diagnosing is common. How many times in casual conversation or comments do you hear the terms narcissist, OCD, ADHD, borderline. People are labeling characteristics with clinical terms. It's really destructive.

[Anonymous]

It's a stupid term that became a slang term that people use because everyone else uses it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have recently been in situations where adults casually referred to awkward or socially unaware colleagues as "on the spectrum." I find this frustrating and offensive (and often inaccurate) and the term itself bothers me. I am a mom of a SN kid so definitely sensitive to this kind of thing.. is this objectively offensive? How about if referring to a kid with an ASD diagnosis?

You call your kid a "SN kid" but you are offended when people say "on the spectrum"?

Does your house have any mirrors?

[Anonymous]

Any term can be offensive if it's meant as an insult or criticism.