The finalized version of the autistic vocabulary that was posted in my school’s newsletter. I’d like to thank everyone who helped contribute to this and can help explain terminology to those in need.
The English vocabulary is vastly different than how it was thirty-eight years ago. It’s even different than it was ten years ago. If you were being bullied in the eighties it would be a “grody” situation. Nowadays it would simply be referred to as a “hot mess”. Autistic vocabulary is no different, we have our new words too, to help not only explain autistic behavior. For the way that some of us may or may not like to be called by. Terminology for non-autistic people too that we can use and call them by. This article will be a chance to learn that terminology and perhaps broaden other’s vocabulary.
#actuallyautistic- A safe space tag for people on the spectrum that isn’t for people who do not have autism. It’s a way for speaking our own truths in the community that has a better time for the most part at understanding us. This tag can be found on popular social media sites/apps such as Tumblr Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and so on.
#autism acceptance- A large quantity of the masses are already aware of autism to an extent. What this tag is trying to explain is that we need more acceptance for who we are as people and in society.
#redinstead- If you see this tag it means a person is against Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks uses #light it up blue for their brand of autism awareness. This tag is made by an autistic person to be used by autistics and allies to promote autism acceptance.
Ableism/Ableist- (aye-bal-ism or aye-bal-ist) A person who defines a disabled person on what they can and cannot do. Or if they are even disabled at all. They can have little to no prior knowledge or be a friend/partner/family and do this to a person. They view disabled people on their worth and what they can and can’t do from their perspective.
Neurodiversity- (nur-o-div-er-isty) A neuro difference of the human brain compared to most brains. It is a viewpoint backed by scientists. Neurodiverse brains are variants of the human genome. There is a movement going on right now called the Neurodiverse Movement which is all being categorized as an Autism Rights Movement and a civil rights movement. Fighting for more accommodations and better treatment such as technologies, home care, medical help, monetary support educational support and help with discriminations.
“Nothing about us without us”- Started by the Disabled Movement in rallying for rights and support. This statement is the catchphrase for ASAN the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. It’s pretty self-explanatory in meaning if it’s not backed by an autistic people you probably shouldn’t be using/apart of it.
Stim/Stimming (St-im) (stim-ing)- Self soothing repetitive habits that help calm down autistic people. It should be noted that not only autistic people stim but people with ADHD do too and anyone can stim. Which was why the fidget spinner and fidget box phase was going so well because stimming helps not only regulate the body but help you focus as well. The technical terminology is self-stimulatory behavior. It could be a bodily motion by spinning, hand flapping, chewing, hair twirling, pen clicking, there is no specific way to stim. Some may be more common than others. There can be more subtle ways to stim such as visual and auditory. You could listen to certain songs over and over again or only one song but reputedly. Looking at certain pictures on your phone might help too. These are the only some of the wide range of stim’s culture that can be interpreted in many different ways that can be gratifying.
Spoons/Spoon theory- Spoon theory was originally used to describe chronic illnesses by Christine Miserandino but has branched out in supporting people with mental illnesses and autistics with an explanation. The explanation of our energy on mental, social, and physical and how it works.
They are used as a representation of how much energy we have throughout to day-to-do certain tasks. If someone only woke up with twenty spoons they would have to manage how many they used throughout the day. 5 for getting dressed, 1 for making breakfast, and so on and so forth. Once you run out it’s just that you’ve run out and we can’t get our energy back or push through like many other people. We have to take a rest and trying to get it back by stimming, taking part in a special interest, or just taking a five-minute sit in a dim quite area. Sometimes depending on how much energy was expended that may not even help. So that’s why it’s important to plan carefully on how we use them and no prior to what we are doing.
Scripting- Scripting is when an autistic person has practiced a certain set of words or phrases to say in social interactions. It can be used for a variety of circumstances when getting through the social world.
Example: Barb has a hard time ordering food at Mcdonald’s at the cash register her words become jumbled, anxious, and she forgets what she wants to order and becomes silent. Barb has been practicing the same phrase prior in the mirror for five minutes before she came to McDonald’s. Barb has remembered her order and was able to communicate what she wanted.
SpIn- (sp-in) It’s just a shorter way of saying Special Interest.
Twice exceptional or 2e- A term in the educational field for people with learning and mental disabilities. It refers to “gifts” they have such as the things they excel in (reading, math, art, so on) and their disabilities.
Allistic- (allie-is-tic) Specifically means to not be autistic.
Masking- Commonly seen as a female presenting autism trait but any orientation with autism can do it. It’s when an autistic person masks their autistic traits in order to blend in with the world around them. It can help them with getting friendships, family, jobs, and even relationships. In the long haul, masking is unhealthy and leads to more psychological problems then it does good.
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