this post was submitted on 28 Mar 2025
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Autism
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I don't personally consider this a language issue as much as a people issue.
IIRC the current evaluation methodologies are heavily tied to the idea of a spectrum of traits, each with their own scale.
As you say, there are other spectrum diagnoses including autism, so "on the spectrum" is technically correct.
Which is why i consider the issue you seem to be describing as a person issue, not a language one.
A person using a descriptor or label with the intention of being an arsehole could just as easily use a different word or phrase.
Using something that isn't inherently considered offensive however, gives them some plausible deniability.
You can choose to find the phrase itself offensive and let people know of your opinion, but you should probably manage your expectations around how other people are using it so you can get an accurate reading on social intent.
On the spectrum is technically correct as long as it can be implied from an earlier specification that it is about the meant spectrum. And even if it is technically correct, having a good reason for continuing with simply the spectrum would... make sense. If people would realize that they try to leave out the terms autism and autistic for a wrong reason (and maybe they don't) that would be a success. It's not about choosing whether something is offensive to me or not, but whether it is, be it intended or not. I am aware that people don't usually use it to purposefully be offensive, and in that sense I can understand it - but that doesn't change that (depending on the unconscious reason) it is offensive anyway.
That's phrased in such a way that it seems you think that the only reason to use "on the spectrum" is to purposely leave out the word autism.
If that's what you mean then i disagree, It's only my own anecdotal experience, but it's still at least one instance where what you are possibly suggesting is not true.
Coming from a "my interpretation is the only interpretation" viewpoint is an easy way to get confusing input from the world, at least in my personal experience.
I also disagree with this, offense is inherently subjective, I'd put good money on me not being the only person who thinks that.
I will however concede that "choose" was a bad choice of word on my part, as it's not always as simple as "choosing".
See my answer above about subjective opinion vs objective fact.
But it being offensive to you, regardless of intent, i can understand, which is what i was trying to address with :
I phrased that poorly, i think it would be better phrased as :
for example, if you know they don't intend to be offensive and you react with hostility, that's a valid choice, but it does come with consequences, knowing about the potential consequences beforehand means you can better prepare yourself.
I disagree with those, but I don't want to discuss them further because I think it leads nowhere. I posted this for takes from other people, people who disagree could convince me and than I wouldn't have to be annoyed by it's usage anymore and if everyone would agree I could reasonably ask from others to not talk about the spectrum. In any case I would not want to react in a hostile way, even if it annoys and offends me.