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Deb Kelner, she/her's avatar

I find this fascinating. My 29 year old autistic son, a research scientist and avid Wikipedia reader has never wanted to be called an ‘aspie’ or referred to as Aspergers. In the olden days (before the DSM went to the ASD model) when we struggled to find a diagnosis in order to qualify for and be directed to helpful services we were told by one diagnostic institution that he was Asperger’s not autistic. Other institutions and diagnosticians argued for straight Autism- I am happy to use ASD. However, we have since learned that Hans Asperger was a Nazi collaborator and responsible for classifying those on the spectrum as ‘undesirables’. To us Asperger’s has become a nasty word. (And as it had previously also been used as a way to deny my son services the name has always been loaded for me).

I’m not trying to change how your family refers to your neurodiversity, just sharing our family’s journey with the word.

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mark kent's avatar

i prefer and am proud of asperger syndrome .it has been a crime lately to say this .because a person in past history.autism and asperger syndrome should be kept apart .each is different from the other .all so making things even more confusing .i take part in a lot lot research .write stories some of have been ..published ..in books ,i am on twitter.x , and on face book..i am from,england .mark

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