Aspies For Freedom

I've noticed something, and I'm not sure if everyone else notices this as well, but, here goes.

The term "Autistic" really doesn't work too well clarity-wise, and this, I think, creates problems.

My concern stems from the fact that most people on the Autistic Spectrum use the term to describe themselves. I'm Autistic, she's Autistic, he's Autistic, and so on. But we may not all be Autistic in the same way. And it's really confusing for all the parts of the spectrum with their own needs, all being put together into one.

Anyone else think this is important?

Yes...that's a very good point.
The word autistic does lack clarity...and seems to change meaning dependent on the context in which the word is 'spoken'.

Autism is like cars. There are so many variations it is hard to distinguish sometimes. You can have the really bad version, where you are unable to do anything at all or you can only slightly be affected, and still be able to hold a normal life. I have the 2nd type. The only problems I have with my autism is that I find it hard to make eye contact, I fixate on certain things and some noises give me headaches.

That's more or less like me, Kiwi :]

Of course my eye contact is fine now, thanks to 2 years of college in a very social course.

And noises? well my mum's Vacuum goes through me like a knife through butter like a bloody jet engine.

I find this to be highly inappropriate to refer to those considered "low-functioning" as having a "really bad version". Just because some autistics have more disability aspect than you or I might have doesn't mean that they are "suffering of LFA", as this analogy to a "really bad version" of car implies.

And yes, the umbrella term of "autism" is not very specific. What I write here is that the fact that there are many differences, that we don't fit into neat categories, does not imply hierarchy of the variations.

Skin color varies significantly from person to person, and two people considered white may have very different skin tones as two people considered black may have very different skin tones. Of course with neurology and disability there are many other factors, but then, the purpose of analogy is to provide a simpler, yet comparable model.

And for the record, I would rather be considered LFA than to have a crappy car, as I currently have now.

Yep, autism covers a very wide range of people. If you want to talk about specific issues within autism, then you can specify "non-verbal autistics", "autistic people with motor issues", "synesthesia", "prosopagnosia", etc.

There is also "generalized anxiety"--many people with autism suffer from anxiety, social anxiety, and so on.  I have this issue in heaps.

So do I.

But this is all very unclear, is it not? It makes distinguishing between people a matter of saying one part of their Autism.

I think amadkiwii made a good metaphor, disregarding the negative connotations. You can't tell what car a person drives because they say they drive a car.

And since no one knows who drives what car, but that they drive a sports car, or an import, or an SUV.

Such generalized language makes for a generalized view of all autistics.

Don't consider myself autistic, I am a person who is Aspergers and PROUD OF IT!
I had a funny conversation yesterday.  Was asked by my friend's Son what was for dinner so I told him and then he said "wow, you pushed the boat out".  Now isn't that a funny saying.  I said to him (bearing in mind we are both Aspies) what has pushing a boat out got to do with our dinner we are all having together tonight (had their family around for the night) and he said "no idea but I know it is a suitable time to say it" and we both laughed our heads off (although not literally lol .... hee hee hee!)