Asperger's disease???

[bf2010]

"Autism & Aspergers A new support forum for autism, Asperger's disease and carers."

This is from the title bar above. Does anyone else disagree with the phrase "Asperger's Disease"?

Disease makes me think of this definition from dictionary.com: :3. any harmful, depraved, or morbid condition, as of the mind or society"

I am a sister of a 13 year girl with Asperger's and a senior Special education major. I have always been taught, as a sibling and now a future teacher, that developmental disabilities are not diseases, but disorders.

What's everyone else think?

 

[IDDQD]

I certainly disagree with it being called a disease for a few reasons:

1) Calling Asperger's a "disease" implies that Asperger's Syndrome is some sort of pathogen. If it was, I'd be able to sneeze on someone and give them my Asperger's. Also, there are diseases that, if I understand correctly, are temporary. Asperger's isn't temporary. You don't have it, suffer through it for a week or more, and then you're better.

2) The term "disease" has negative connotations. It implies that there's something that has to be fixed. I'll admit that people with Asperger's, like myself, have difficulty in social areas most people are fine in. However, people with Asperger's are bright enough to learn how to adapt to a society and world that often doesn't make sense to them and, at times, they don't want to understand because some of the things normal people do are definitely facepalm worthy.

3) By "curing" someone of their Asperger's, there's also the risk of taking away a unique part of that person. Ultimately, if there ever is a cure for Asperger's and it was solely voluntary, I would turn it down. Asperger's is a part of who I am. It's part of my identity. It's part of my personality. It's part of what makes me me. If it were somehow "cured", then I wouldn't be me. That's something I refuse to do.

 

[Aaliyah]

Yes, I think it should be Asperger's Syndrome. But look at how they stated "carers" too. Like I'm thinking that is supposed to be "caregivers". I don't even think carer is a word. Whoever wrote the title obviously doesn't have very good grammar or whatever.

Btw, you are very pretty.

 

[dayhiker]

ya, AS isn't a disease ... our brains just function differently. I rather like how my breain works personally.

 

[MoeSzyslak]

I don't like the term disease either. It has too many other connotations and doesn't really fit.

I don't like the term disorder either. My brain is not disordered. It has a definite order to it. It's not chaotic. If anything, with all the rituals and routines a typical AS person has. We are probably more ordered, then nuerotypical people.

It's different. I'd probably choose the word syndrome also.

 

[amberlight]

In the UK it's called "autism spectrum condition" now, because they've realised it's a different brain design. It's not a disease.

I asked the people in charge here if they would consider changing it, but never had a reply (some weeks ago).

 

[dayhiker]

Ya, it can be hard to get a message to the person who has the authroity to change the code. Plus I'm sure they have a prioritised list and this might have a low priority. But I agree they should take out the word disease as that isn't an acceptable word.

 

[Bron]

I agree with you all! It struck me as I came on, and then I saw your thread :-D

 

[dayhiker]

Well, so far noone who can change the sub-title of this forum has taken any action from this thread. Hopefully someday someone will.

dayhiker

 

[cobweb]

I posted in one of the complaint forums asking for the forum description to be changed. Disease is not accurate and it can be seen as offensive. (I know my Aspie would think so).

Hopefully they will change it to "Asperger's Syndrome".

 

[kiwimac]

It is a syndrome not a disease. A disease can be cured a syndrome cannot.

 

[Hentenza]

Forum title has been changed to:

A new support forum for autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and caregivers.


Blessings and happy new year.

 

[kiwimac]

Thanks Hentenza!~

 

[dayhiker]

thanks and a good New Year to you as well.

 

[cuddlycutebaby]

I also think Asperger's disease is not appropriate word the Asperger's Syndrome is the right word.