Are YOU 'On The Spectrum'? .

It's an innocent enough phrase: "On The Spectrum", but some people don't like it one bit. Others think it's a "nicer" way of saying autistic. Who's right?
#EngageAutism #AskingAutistics #ActuallyAutistic

Support Autistamatic on Patreon

Find more at

Autistamatic Merch:

"Why I Don't Say Aspergers"

"STOP Saying People With Autism"

Made with Shotcut, open source video editing software

Images, stock video, sound effects and music not created by the channel have been obtained from YouTube creator resources or from the following sources:

Every effort has been made to ensure that copyrights are respected and that material used is in the public domain. Where copyrighted material is used it is under the terms of "fair use" for educational purposes. All copyrights remain the property of their respective owners.

[MrAndywills]

self diagnosis/identification is a valid starting point.

[robokill]

It has shades of "you're not disabled, you're differently abled!!!" Patronising and euphemistic.

[jordanangelov]

Diagnosing autism is so expensive (and it shouldn't be, it feels like it is some kind of a business tbh) that it is impossible for some people to get a formal diagnosis. Gatekeeping and changing the ways to address an autistic person only worsens the problem. I myself would prefer to be called autistic more than any other newly invented label.

[ultrarotom]

Great video! I'd recommend it to everyone, especially non-autistic people who want to genuinely support us and claim to be our allies. It not only talks about how "on the spectrum" is problematic because it suggests that autism needs euphemistic language which perpetuates stigma, but also briefly mentions person first language, self diagnosis and other things that everyone needs to keep in mind.

So, good job there!

[higherground]

I used to work with a preschool teacher who sometimes confided to me in whispered tones about such-and-such student of hers that she suspected of being "on the spec." It always sounded like a slur. She was horrible and I felt awful for her students.

[scottwascher]

I appreciate your thoughts and perspectives on the matter.

I personally don’t let bullies and bigots decide what language I use based on their use of language. Simply a matter of deciding carefully who and what is an influence of my choice of words and a slightly less simple understanding of the divergence of local context.

[AutisticBrian]

I've accidentally used neurotypical language on multiple occasions I don't mean to it's not what I believe but sometimes all of us slip-up regardless of our beliefs autist or neurotypical it really doesn't matter either one we all slip-up.

[donquixoteupinhere]

I haven’t been formally diagnosed but I am absolutely adamant in my being autistic. What perturbs me is the arduous process and time consumed in the UK to try to seek proper diagnosis. This video really helps me because it’s something I feel trepidatious about, so thank you for making me feel somewhat accepted on this. I think diagnosis is most relevant with to older friends because I would rather be able to prove I am.

I have lived with a person whose brother and father are officially diagnosed and he told me to simply tell people that I am diagnosed. His brother went without diagnosis for a long time, and he was convinced in the similarities in our characters.

[TheDarklingSquirreL]

Hi Quinn. I enjoy your videos. Ever since I was told I am autistic. I proudly tell everyone. Just as I did when my son was diagnosed as ADHD an Asperger's. You would have thought after receiving my son's diagnosis an all the research I did I would have worked out I myself am autistic, sadly I have other mental health diagnosis that conflict making it harder to pick up on. Thank you for your video

[AutisticBrian]

I heard a kid at my high school I'm in special-ed I over heard a kid teasing a kid about riding the bus that I ride I really wanted to ask him, what is wrong with riding that bus? the kid said something about special-ed bus I really don't remember what he said what i wrote here is all I can remember.

I didn't have time to ask him, what was wrong with riding that bus? But I wish I had time.

[ecranmagique]

Very well said Quinn! I often hear "on the spectrum" in the context of "we autistics are all different". But that doesn't convey any information since all neurotypicals are also all different, all women are different, etc... And it makes one believe, as you said, that autism can be quantified with one parameter that places us somewhere on the spectrum.
I personally avoid "spectrum" and rainbows... That's not what autism is.

[aikou]

I'm on the spectrum because unlike arthritis, I don't exactly share a lot of characteristics with other people in my condition. Also, the word "spectrum" makes me think of an advanced color palette/color picker where you can get whatever color you want by moving a cursor in a bidimensional scale instead of a line (which is what I think whenever I hear "autism", a static condition that can only move up or down).

[artisticautistic]

I am autistic but I don't buy the spectrum idea, personally.

[angeldude]

I don't shy away from saying "autistic, " but I also occasionally use "on the spectrum" mainly to avoid the repetition or affect the flow of a sentence. Usually it's in the form of "those on the spectrum, " with "autistic people" being used elsewhere in the same message.
Technically, autism is less of "a spectrum" and more like "spectra, " in that each individual person has a distinct "spectrum" of traits with some expressed more strongly while others aren't expressed at all, much like how distinct elements have their own light spectra with various "spectral lines" identifying the specific element.

[Spectersrd]

Idk. Personally I used to all the ways saying I'm Autistic bc I think it's just me saying I'm Autistic instead of dancing around something like other people do. But I see what you mean.

[robertjohnburton]

People who skirt issues are passive-aggressive and I have put them onto my painful death list. I am sick of this world - it sucks big time.

[KK-qdro]

I am Autistic, I am disabled, but only because the world is run by mostly neurotypicals.

[heyasasha]

Learning a new lexicon is a steep learning curve and people are bound to mis-step at times but language is so powerful we need to try and get it right and listen to the people it's directed about.
I'm on a waiting list for assessment and have spent 3-4 years researching and learning about autism including the politics of language. I've taken my lead from the disclaimer in front of these Autistamatic videos and tend to say 'I strongly suspect I'm autistic' or I 'self-identify' and now I can also say ''I'm awaiting an autism assessment'.
For myself I just can't say 'I'm autistic' until I get a diagnosis because I don't want to mislead anyone. This is despite the fact I 'know' that I am. I realise this is a thorny issue - I mean why should we need a likely non-autistic person to describe us? We don't really and I would not judge another undiagnosed person describing themselves as 'autistic' with no qualifier. I just don't do it myself.
I've heard 'in the spectrum' used as opposed to 'on' the spectrum which I think is an attempt to recognise the non-linear aspect but I don't tend to use either phrase myself. I've always disliked using euphemisms which can distract from the truth. For example, the phrase 'collateral damage' in warfare when what they mean is killing and harming civilians.

[zxG]

Lol... i found that when i told people I think im autistic/adhd, a lot said "oh yea, for sure, that makes a lot of sense" 😆

[NickSBailey]

Since I've been coming around to the idea I probably am autistic, not diagnosed yet not sure when I will actually try to see a GP about this but I've struggled with many of the things I'm reading autistics go through and seeing mentioned on your channel (great by the way). I feel better with just "autistic" rather than a "person with autism". language is tricky I wouldn't stop using words that fit well just because others are misusing it as a slur, I get the idea of a spectrum but agree it doesn't quite fit.