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last day of #AutismAcceptanceMonth 
so let’s talk about functioning labels and the term “asperger’s”
a thread
so let’s talk about functioning labels and the term “asperger’s” a thread
first i wanna talk about functioning labels.
what are they exactly?
well, they’re basically “descriptions” of people on the autistic spectrum. a lot of the time, autistic people are described as “low-functioning” or “high-functioning”. however, these labels are harmful and the-
what are they exactly?
well, they’re basically “descriptions” of people on the autistic spectrum. a lot of the time, autistic people are described as “low-functioning” or “high-functioning”. however, these labels are harmful and the-
autistic community doesn’t use these labels.
why are they harmful?
because all autistic people are different. we cannot be put into one of two boxes that say if we are low functioning or high functioning. we are all different. we all have different support needs. allistics-
why are they harmful?
because all autistic people are different. we cannot be put into one of two boxes that say if we are low functioning or high functioning. we are all different. we all have different support needs. allistics-
tend to see those labeled as “high functioning” as “not autistic enough” or “not rlly autistic” which is usually bc of being verbal, being able to live on their own, etc. while they rlly could be dealing with things like meltdowns and difficulty making friends. meanwhile, those-
labeled as “low functioning” are often infantilized, dehumanized, and dismissed by allistics bc of maybe being nonverbal or not being able to live independently. meanwhile they could be intelligent and creative, but they get dismissed. but all autistic ppl are different. that’s-
why it’s called autism spectrum disorder. it’s a Spectrum. one person labeled as “high functioning” by a neurotypical may be completely different than another autistic person deemed as “high functioning”.
these labels also make it seem like the autism spectrum is a line. like how autistic we are can be defined from one end of this line to another, high functioning being on one, low functioning on the other. that’s not the case at all. think of autism, instead, like a color wheel.
what could u use instead of functioning labels?
u rlly don’t need a label other than autistic. we’re all different. just ask us how u can help us if we may need it. make us feel comfortable. accommodate us! it can be difficult for any autistic person to be autistic in a neuro-
u rlly don’t need a label other than autistic. we’re all different. just ask us how u can help us if we may need it. make us feel comfortable. accommodate us! it can be difficult for any autistic person to be autistic in a neuro-
typical society. just bc some of us may be able to mask well doesn’t mean we may not struggle.
sometimes autistic ppl are also seen as what level of support needs they may have. some have higher support needs than others, like some of us may never be able to live completely-
sometimes autistic ppl are also seen as what level of support needs they may have. some have higher support needs than others, like some of us may never be able to live completely-
independent, while some of us can. some us may be verbal, others semi-verbal, and others completely nonverbal. u get the gist. we’re all different and we all have different support needs. again, just ask.
just PLEASE stop putting autistic ppl into a binary or a box. none of us-
just PLEASE stop putting autistic ppl into a binary or a box. none of us-
are the same as another. like the phrase goes, “if you’ve met one autistic person, then youve met one autistic person.”
here’s a pretty good article abt why functioning labels are harmful
https://planningacrossthespectrum.com/blog/why-stop-using-functioning-labels/
here’s a pretty good article abt why functioning labels are harmful
https://planningacrossthespectrum.com/blog/why-stop-using-functioning-labels/
now let’s talk about the term “asperger’s syndrome” and why it’s harmful, it’s history, and why we should stop using it.
tw for antisemitism , holocaust , nazis , & ableism for this part.
keep in mind that i am not jewish, however i have seen the opinions of jewish autistic ppl
tw for antisemitism , holocaust , nazis , & ableism for this part.
keep in mind that i am not jewish, however i have seen the opinions of jewish autistic ppl
abt this. i will be trying to link articles further explaining this and opinions from jewish/romani autistic ppl. if i overstep or get sumn wrong PLS lemme know.
first of all, asperger’s is no longer an official diagnosis. it was replaced with “autism spectrum disorder”. for the most part, it’s no longer used in the medical field. it shouldn’t be used anymore bc of this.
asperger’s syndrome is basically defined as a high-functioning-
asperger’s syndrome is basically defined as a high-functioning-
autistic person. usually ppl labeled with this are also seen as more intelligent than average.
u can already see why this is a harmful term, i’m sure.
but it goes deeper than that with its history. the name “asperger’s” comes from hans asperger. this man was a nazi. he played-
u can already see why this is a harmful term, i’m sure.
but it goes deeper than that with its history. the name “asperger’s” comes from hans asperger. this man was a nazi. he played-
a part in the holocaust in determining who was “genetically fit or unfit”. he helped identify children with disabilities and knowingly sent them to places like spiegelgrund, which was a ward that euthanized and experimented on children. when he would work with these children, he-
“protected” ones he deemed intelligent or otherwise “good enough”. aka ones that nowadays would be labeled high functioning.
asperger has always been painted as a good man who “saved children” but he was a nazi and a terrible person. he helped with the murder of disabled kids.
asperger has always been painted as a good man who “saved children” but he was a nazi and a terrible person. he helped with the murder of disabled kids.
the term “asperger’s syndrome” needs to be left behind. please stop using it. if you’re autistic and label yourself with it, i encourage h to stop.
i’ve seen discussion of reclamation of the term, and i think jewish/romani autistic people should be able to, which is an opinion-
i’ve seen discussion of reclamation of the term, and i think jewish/romani autistic people should be able to, which is an opinion-
ive seen from jewish autistic ppl themselves. this rlly needs to be talked about more. pls stop using the term aspergers and stop using functioning labels.
heres some articles abt hans asperger and the term https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/conversations/2018/5/22/17377766/asperger-nazi-rename-syndrome
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05112-1
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05112-1
here’s a tik tok from a jewish autistic person https://www.instagram.com/p/CL2Fe8QhXom/?igshid=1miob6q2a67lc
here’s a tik tok from one of my fave autistic content creators. she talks abt functioning labels AND the term aspergers here
that’s the end for now. please add any points u may have and pls rt this thread i’m tired of seeing these terms used i rlly am
