Stop Using "Autistic" As A Negative Term | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Stop Using "Autistic" As A Negative Term

Autism is not a bad thing, stop acting like it is.

478
Stop Using "Autistic" As A Negative Term
Running For Autism

Why do people think it is okay to use autistic as an offense term? I have heard in so many cases people saying things like "are you autistic or something" or something along those terms. It is so frustrating. Autism is not something that should be looked at as a negative, or a bad thing. People who are on the autism spectrum are just as important as anyone else. They do not deserve to be made fun of or made a joke of because of their disability.

I know people mean no harm by it, but that does not mean that no offense is taken. Most times, people on the spectrum are already not the most confident and they do not need others building on that issue too. Autism does not make someone different at all. Those with autism can still be the most loving and caring people. They are not any less intelligent, or any less likely to be successful.

It is not always obvious when someone has autism. Yes, there are times that the behaviors and tendencies of the person makes it obvious. Often, unless they state their disability it remains unknown to many. A lot of people with the diagnosis of autism undergo great treatment and therapy making them fit in and no longer stand out from everyone else.

I know a boy whom I am very close with who was diagnosed with autism about a year back. He is extremely smart, he just does not always have the communication skills that others do. He does not necessarily know how to read to read situations like everyone else does. This makes others view him as "weird" in some situations. That isn't what it is though. He is simply different, he is unique.

People need to think about the things they say before they say them. It does not matter if you do not mean to hurt anyone by your comment, if it is even a possibility, then do not say it. Think about if you had a disability, would you want someone making a joke out of it or using it as an offensive term? I didn't think so. Use more caution with what you are saying. It is not okay for other to feel bullied, or not as important because of a rude comment made by someone who does not think about the consequences of what it is they are saying.

I am not here to tear anyone down about things they have said or comments they have made. I know people have to live with their own choices, I am just asking others to think about what they are saying and be more cautious about things that could hurt someone.

Autism is not something that should be used as a negative thing or a bad thing. They are still people and do not deserve to be treated like any less.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Gilmore Girls
Hypable

In honor of Mother’s Day, I have been thinking of all the things my mom does for my family and me. Although I couldn’t write nearly all of them, here are a few things that moms do for us.

They find that shirt that’s right in front of you, but just you can’t seem to find.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons To Thank Your Best Friend

Take the time to thank that one friend in your life you will never let go of.

4839
Thank You on wooden blocks

1. Thank you for being the one I can always count on to be honest.

A true friend will tell you if the shirt is ugly, or at least ask to borrow it and "accidentally" burn it.

2. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

A best friend will love you regardless of the stale french fries you left on the floor of your car, or when you had lice in 8th grade and no one wanted to talk to you.

Keep Reading...Show less
sick student
StableDiffusion

Everybody gets sick once in a while, but getting sick while in college is the absolute worst. You're away from home and your mom who can take care of you and all you really want to do is just be in your own bed. You feel like you will have never-ending classwork to catch up on if you miss class, so you end up going sick and then it just takes longer to get better. Being sick in college is really tough and definitely not a fun experience. Here are the 15 stages that everyone ends up going through when they are sick at college.

Keep Reading...Show less
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments