Asperger... Does it really bother anyone?
I hadn't even given it a thought because it doesn't bother me at all.
Does anyone here feel offended by the use of the word Asperger in the game? Let me give you some context...
I have Asperger's syndrome and it's not the first time I've said it. Since that's the case, this is a topic that should affect me, but it doesn't worry me in the slightest. I was on a Discord asking for some feedback on the new interface, and I showed the video of how it works... and suddenly some guy tells me that the term "Asperger" is considered offensive by a lot of people on the autism spectrum.
How come?
Because Hans Asperger is tied to Nazi practices... I thought to myself right then, "so how does that change things for me?"
For about 15 years or so, Asperger's hasn't been diagnosed as such; instead, everything is put into the ASD category (ASD stands for Autism Spectrum Disorder).
Why should I feel offended if someone says I have Asperger's if I identify as a person with Asperger's myself? That's strictly a problem with the newer generations, I think. The newer generations love to feel easily offended by the smallest and most absurd things.
A little discussion followed on Discord about why I or someone like me should feel offended. We both shared our points of view. Until after a while, a third person showed up saying we should drop the subject because it was already getting uncomfortable... ???
There was never any insult, not a single bad word used, just two adults talking (typing). Isn't that exactly what Discord is for? Besides, the channel was literally called "off Topic" xD
I don't think normal people understand certain things about us. I could be writing in what seems like a fiery debate with absolutely no emotion behind it. When I'm alone, most of the time my face is just blank. Obviously, I'm human and I can tell someone to screw off and really feel it.
That's just it, my reactions aren't typical, they're not what most people are looking for.
Why would someone like me be offended? I guess I'm mostly asking myself, because I just don't understand. To me, caring about things like that is completely pointless.
It's the same thing I was telling this person on Discord... In Chile, we have a similar case that's perfect for the analogy. One of the most popular cookies here was called "Negrita" for several decades (negrita is a term used to refer to dark-skinned people, but it's used as a term of endearment, not meant to be offensive).
A few years ago, some marketing genius decided it was a bad idea to have a well-known product with that name for 60 years and renamed it "Chokita"... and you know what? People still call it Negrita. Only the newer generations will call it Chokita, and slowly the old name will disappear.
The same thing happens with the term Asperger. They can't expect someone who's had Asperger's their whole life to say anything different to refer to this autism spectrum disorder. And if someone feels offended, well, that's their problem.
This person said he knows a lot of people on the spectrum who'd rather use ASD than the VERY offensive term Asperger. Notice that I put VERY in caps because that’s exactly how he wrote it.
Is it really like that? Or am I just some kind of exception among Aspies?
My logical reasoning tells me it's ridiculous to feel offended, that it's ridiculous to even care. That it's just "normal" people who want to make it a bigger deal than it is... but logic is only as logical as the person thinking it, and I could be wrong.
I'm genuinely curious, and that's why the discussion happened. Something similar happened to me during the pandemic... People, being isolated from their family and friends for a while, start feeling bad... Believe me, it was incredibly hard for me to understand, because I don't feel that way. I avoid people. If I see one of my close cousins on the street and he doesn't see me, I'd rather play dumb and change direction just to avoid him. I can count on one hand the people I actually care about, and I'm not really worried about being isolated from them for a few months either.
My grandmother passed away 6 years ago (at 102), the person who raised me. Obviously, she mattered to me, but I never shed a single tear over her passing. To me, death is just a normal process, something that happens to everyone. Yeah, it might seem cold, but that's just how I am and I can't help it, just like someone with Tourette's can't help saying or doing inappropriate things. My brain is just wired differently, with other priorities.
Dealing with people is incredibly hard for us for that very reason. Because there are things we just don't get, things that are a huge struggle for us to process. Stuff that’s normal for you, we only learn through long-term observation and imitation, and we might never get it quite right. And the opposite is also true. There are things that are easy for me, things I don't even have to think about, they just come naturally, whereas for you, they'd be difficult.
Perhaps that third wheel on Discord, who told us to drop the subject, felt it was getting awkward, and I'll never truly understand why. I said I was sorry, and so did the other guy, but I'm never actually going to feel the weight of those apologies... That right there is Asperger's. It's about not understanding normal people's reactions and having them not understand mine either.
And in case it wasn't clear, writing is easy for me, but I'm not good at speaking at all. In person, I'm a total disaster who rarely says a word, and if I do say something, it's to talk about stuff that matters to me and not trivial things. After a good while, I can start to feel comfortable, but the adjustment period is what I always prefer to avoid. Although for things like work, you simply have to do what you don't want to do.
I don't know if any of you have Asperger's or ASD or whatever, but I'm honestly curious if anyone in here gets offended by the term.
With this poll, I’m not implying that the result is going to change how I refer to this within the game. It’s mostly just an act of genuine curiosity. Although, if I see a really high percentage against it, maybe I should rethink a few things...
By the way, to this day, Hans Asperger's actual involvement with Nazism has never really been proven.
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Comments (9)
What's wrong with the word autism/autistic? Why not use that?
I think you didn't quite get the point. Asperger's is Asperger's and Autism is Autism. It's the same, but... Up until 2013, you'd get an Asperger's diagnosis, but after that, it became Autism. I’ve identified as Asperger's for more than 20 years and I won’t change it just because someone thinks I should to avoid "offending" people like me who don't even care. That's what the cookie analogy was for... Over 80 people voted, I assume we’re pretty much all adults here (very adult xD). Most votes or maybe all are from regular people, and more than 95% aren't bothered by the term Asperger's. Think about how few people with Asperger's or ASD actually mind what they're called... even less than that. This is purely a problem created by normal people, not us. It's just like those old Asperger's tests. They’d ask things like "do you prefer hanging out with friends or visiting a museum?"... seriously? Why can't I just stay at home? Those tests were designed by normal people who don't understand the actual struggles of someone like me.
If I was diagnosed as a child I too would probably have Asperger's. But since it wasn't till the pandemic as an adult, and Asperger's had already been deemed an obsolete term, I'm simply ASD. We aren't normal, but worrying about what others call us isn't a typical ASD issue. Sounds like someone being offended for us, and not an actual ASD person having an issue with it.
I didn't know until now that Asperger might be linked to the nazis. So I don't find it offending.
Well, I have a form of Asperger and I am fine with it. For me it is just a little weird that I can't read 'peoples' faces.
I'm only familiar with the term "autistic", but I know there are other subcategories, such as Asperger's syndrome and "indigo children". I've never really understood what they mean, nor have I looked them up online 🫠. The word 'Asperger's' doesn't bother me at all. Several of the personal descriptions you gave fit me, although I can speak loudly in public without any problem. However, the part about walking right past someone on the street if they don't recognise you and having no problem with being alone for long periods also applies to me. Your Chokitas cookies must be related to Chikorita, the grass Pokémon 🤣. Best regards!
I forgot to clarify. At one point, the interface video shows what's known about Rachel, and the word "Asperger" appears there, which caused the whole thing to turn into a debate instead of feedback. Now do you see why I avoid people? xD
No offense, it's part of the game. Lost of games have people with disabilities. If someone is getting upset because of this. The might be to sensitive to play anything without being offended.
Absolutely no offense, i know two people with Asperger - my niece and a guy from my unit who works as an chemical Engineer for our Military. He is one of the Most intelligent people i know… My Grandfather was in the Wehrmacht…are i am ashamed of him ? - absolutely not, he did what he had to do in these troubled times and he kept his family safe through the War, without him i wouldnt be here… He was so proud of me as i joined the Austrian Military over 30 years ago… He was a good man, i miss him every day, my father died young and my grandfather became my father figure for me. I serve in the Military Police till today and i love it. So, dont be EVER ashamed of who you are, what you are or where you come from because its a part of you ! Just my two cents….
