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.
It is really interesting. My son J generally refers to himself as having autism, and I do the same. Sometimes, he will say Aspergers because it was his specific diagnosis. As I looked into it, I've found some do prefer to refer to their actual diagnosis and feel like they don't have as much stigma with it. I realize it's an individual decision but also may confuse some parents who may hear it but don't realize the background. I too was disturbed to hear of Hans Asperger's work during WWII.
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.
It is really interesting. My son J generally refers to himself as having autism, and I do the same. Sometimes, he will say Aspergers because it was his specific diagnosis. As I looked into it, I've found some do prefer to refer to their actual diagnosis and feel like they don't have as much stigma with it. I realize it's an individual decision but also may confuse some parents who may hear it but don't realize the background. I too was disturbed to hear of Hans Asperger's work during WWII.
I totally understand that it's a very individual decision and it is one I will respect.