I'm bright, well I was - but certainly not anything like an engineer/college professor kind of person.

I think you could be wasting your time trying to explain your odd theory and terminology to me.

Perhaps you could explain it to some aspies I know who are locked up in psychiatric units. Have been for some time and their diagnosis is correct but they cannot be let out. Perhaps you would call them too bright.

Not to mention the happy autistics who are much more skilled in the basic life skills than those very pissed off aspies.

You seem to be adopting a very NT centric perspective.
(Hey, we brights are nearly NT) Hmmm...

I don't like using the terms brights.  I think that darkness is much better anyway, and it drags people into primitive superstitious outlooks about each other when you categorize people according to "luminosity"

Thank you for the chuckle.

Just to add to the confusion, I know plenty of non-ASD people who are mightily offended by the deployment of the term 'NT' to apply universally to all non-ASD people. I have to say I tend to agree with them - it obliterates all of the actual diversity within the non-ASD population such as bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety, synaesthesia, etc., suggesting that all the people who aren't ASD are similar to each other. Further, it also implies some kind of 'us and them' division, which can be pretty harmful.

Personally I tend to use the term 'neurodiversity' to cover the entire spectrum of human neurological composition, and 'ASD/non-ASD' to refer to whether people are, or are not, on the autism spectrum. I think the sooner we understand and accept that humans are diverse in just about every way possible (except, probably, the ability to breathe pure hydrogen or fly unaided), the more functional we will be as a society.

Hear, hear!  Well said!

That's really a more functional definition.  If the terms were widespread throughout society "redefining" them would be a problem, but to most people they were never defined in the first place.  So to attack a broader neurodiversity that includes DD other than autism, that include schizophrenia, and so on, on the basis of its original definition hardly makes any sense.  If you have schizophrenia or bipolar or even tourettes, then your neurology is not typical.  There is every reason for a term like "NT" to be inapplicable to such people.

edit: also, let me add a plus 1 to Marcia's post.

This post was last modified: 02-12-2013 11:46 AM by Lang.

Exactly: it's friends of mine who are bipolar, or schizophrenic, etc, who really object to being lumped in a 'neurotypical' pile, when what is really meant is just that they are non-ASD. I think that given how much importance many of us of the spectrum place on respect and how acutely aware of ignorance or insensitivity many of us are, using 'non-ASD' might be a bit more considerate than 'NT'. Just my 20c worth, though

Frankly, I'd love to know what might even be considered 'neurotypical'. The longer I live, the more I wonder if anyone is 'normal', or what possible utility such a label might even serve...

It serves to separate deviants into an underclass.  Those who can't be forced within the boundaries are a constant challenge to them.  Society must either reform the boundaries or "correct" the deviation.  The traditional means of correction has been removal, either by killing or incarcerating.  Cure is a more modern outlook (just remember, you too can love Big Brother if you try) but serves the same regressive purpose.  That's not to say some people are not a genuine threat to themselves, but eliminating their divergent essence is not the same as helping them achieve health.

This post was last modified: 02-12-2013 12:36 PM by Lang.

Actually, the word 'neurotypical' originated in the autistic community, and then found its way into clinical psychology and psychiatry. I totally agree that it shouldn't be used simply to mean non-autistic. That excludes a whole lot of people.

Loved that insight.

: )     Each year we are getting closer to this , I hope.  
Neurodiversity has always existed, but, language and culture have at times blocked peoples' access to knowing that it exists, how easy it is to understand, and how it helps with problem solving/understanding eachother, growing as a culture past limitations!