[eflowers]

> A person who can't live without constant, 24/7 supervision and is unable to communicate is in an entirely different category than a person who just has trouble maintaining eye contact in a conversation and is maybe a bit too passionate about some niche interest.

I live in Silicon Valley, and I have an autistic 9 year old son. He resembles the former, not the latter.

Thank you for actually understanding the difference. I am glad someone gets it. The spectrum is largely diluted to the point of needing to be broken up into smaller spectrums. It pains me every time to explain what "low functioning" autism is, or "classic autism".

My son was told he couldn't really join a Bay Area Autistic Minecraft group because he was "too autistic" and it was really for high functioning autists or "Aspies."

Maybe I should just start saying "mentally disabled". Easier.

[byuu]

> Thank you for actually understanding the difference. I am glad someone gets it.

I've seen the difference first-hand many times growing up, perhaps more so than most having attended private schools for a while. I have nothing but respect and adoration for you and others who care for the truly autistic.

More societal acceptance would be great for increasing quality of life, but what we really need is further research into treatments and prevention for the actual disorder. This downplaying of significance through "high-functioning autism" is a disservice to that aim.

> My son was told he couldn't really join a Bay Area Autistic Minecraft group because he was "too autistic"

That is so intensely infuriating, I'm very sorry to hear that. If it's any consolation, I can tell you with unfortunate experience that kids are the cruelest of all towards those with disabilities beyond their own. Nonetheless, I do hope you can find another group that is more accepting.

> Maybe I should just start saying "mentally disabled". Easier.

And you really shouldn't have to. It makes little sense, because as a child we all seemed to know what autism meant. Yet lately it's become trendy to associate with things like Aspergers (which I would argue could almost be an advantage in today's increasingly specialized world.)

But whatever label you settle on, just don't fall into the trap of arguing semantics. Like in the linked article, "autistic" vs "person with autism". A label is only offensive when it's used to disparage. And in that sense, any label can become offensive. Political correctness distracts from the core issue.