Reply to Is "on the spectrum" offensive?

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Reply to "Is "on the spectrum" offensive?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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?[/quote]

No it’s not.

It’s helpful at work so you know the behavior is coming from a source of confusion, not malice.

However, in general, no one is to speak of others’ symptoms, misbehavior patterns, or potential diagnoses in the workplace (or politics, clothing, physiques).

So it’s ultimately a missed opportunity to help and accommodate if people don’t know [b]what is driving the missed social cues[/b] or need for extra instruction or narration.[/quote]

No, the general public is not qualified to assess this.

Just be a professional and try to help people that have specific challenges. Referring to them as "on the spectrum" just because you perceive issues with social communication is offensive and smacks of bullying. [/quote]

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