does anyone on this forum have aspergers syndrome?

trappedinmyradio

Jeanwah wrote:

I don't think you are understanding me. It has nothing to do w/ context or perceived definition. The word, in itself, regardless of how it is used, is just plain rude, and demeaning.

you are of the opinion that it is rude and demeaning. it's just another word to describe something. get over the whole PC thing and just your life.

harmless_little_f***

sponger wrote:

Many people with asperger's can function normally without their condition being obvious. I'm just curious to know what would cause people to call him a retard. Aspergers sufferers generally don't act retarded.

Jeanwah is right. This is the point where I stopped talking to you in this thread, sponger. 'Aspergers sufferers generally don't act retarded.' Oh, really? Who does then? Which disability do you have to have to act retarded? You clearly used the word as some sort of scientific label.

sponger

harmless_little_f*** wrote:

Jeanwah is right. This is the point where I stopped talking to you in this thread, sponger. 'Aspergers sufferers generally don't act retarded.' Oh, really? Who does then? Which disability do you have to have to act retarded? You clearly used the word as some sort of scientific label.

You're jumping to way too many conclusions for me to even begin trying to reconcile points of view with you, but I'm going to try.

I've been around many retarded people. Haven't you? They generally exhibit signs of imparied motor skills, impaired speech delivery, and a general "slowness" in grasping ideas. Not all retarded exhibit each of those behaviors. And not all retarded people act the same, but the overall majority exhibit common behavioral characteristics.

There are obviously various levels of mental retardation. I'm not saying that all retarded people walk funny and have a continuous flow of saliva dripping form the sides of their mouths. And I'm not saying that all people who exhibit those behaviors suffer from mental retardation.

Let me save you some time by instructing you on how to respond from now on.

"Sponger, I dont' understand what retardation is, yet I'm going to try to act like someone who is fighting for their dignity. You're an easy target because this is the internet and there is no accountability for shallow comments that are totally lacking in insight. Meanwhile, I get to waste your time with my nonsensical rhetoric."

Just copy and paste it into your next post.

Puck78

sponger wrote:

You're jumping to way too many conclusions for me to even begin trying to reconcile points of view with you, but I'm going to try.

I've been around many retarded people. Haven't you? They generally exhibit signs of imparied motor skills, impaired speech delivery, and a general "slowness" in grasping ideas. Not all retarded exhibit each of those behaviors. And not all retarded people act the same, but the overall majority exhibit common behavioral characteristics.

There are obviously various levels of mental retardation. I'm not saying that all retarded people walk funny and have a continuous flow of saliva dripping form the sides of their mouths. And I'm not saying that all people who exhibit those behaviors suffer from mental retardation.

Let me save you some time by instructing you on how to respond from now on.

"Sponger, I dont' understand what retardation is, yet I'm going to try to act like someone who is fighting for their dignity. You're an easy target because this is the internet and there is no accountability for shallow comments that are totally lacking in insight. Meanwhile, I get to waste your time with my nonsensical rhetoric."

Just copy and paste it into your next post.

Am I the only one to find sponger's answer disturbing?

harmless_little_f***

Puck78 wrote:

Am I the only one to find sponger's answer disturbing?

I find sponger disturbing.

Look, sponger, I'm going to level with you: can you just NOT use the word retarded, please? Read a fucking book. Preferrably one that was written in this decade; or maybe the last two.

sponger

Hey guys:

Just look up the word "context" in a dictionary. Then send me your apologies via PM's so as to save yourselves open humiliation.

If ever you need me to explain to either of you the obvious, just feel free to ask.

Meanwhile, I will continue to use the word retarded as it is relevant to this discussion and is not being directed toward anybody in a derogatory manner. LMAO at people who just cannot understand that. It's just astounding as to how much some of you lack the ability to comprehend.

wendy1976

sponger wrote:

So, you're looking for any opportunity you can find to lash out at anybody for said harassment. This desperation for revenge has led you to act irrationally, such as the way you've been acting in this thread.
quote]
And i think you are looking for an opportunity to be right and to show that you are good with words and turning this thread into a debate about a word you keep using even when you know it upsets others.You did not say anything to the thread starter other then your first message.He was looking for some help/info....not an discussion on a word that clearly upsets him.

sponger

Puck78 wrote:

Am I the only one to find sponger's answer disturbing?

You and other people who are hopelessly lacking in common sense.

sponger

wendy1976 wrote:

a word you keep using even when you know it upsets others.

It upsets them because they are lacking in common sense. You see, It's not that I'm "good with words". It's just that I make sense when I speak. Some people have a problem with that, so they get upset. They then try to justify their feelings by projecting a false image of a moral highground.

Frankly, I find it ironic that you cast me to blame for this continued discussion on the usage of the word retarded. Did you somehow not notice the other people who keep dragging this on as well? Are they justified just because they are "upset"? Do you know what it means when people get upset because they don't understand what is being said?

harmless_little_f***

sponger wrote:

It upsets them because they are lacking in common sense. You see, It's not that I'm "good with words". It's just that I make sense when I speak. Some people have a problem with that, so they get upset. They then try to justify their feelings by projecting a false image of a moral highground.

Frankly, I find it ironic that you cast me to blame for this continued discussion on the usage of the word retarded. Did you somehow not notice the other people who keep dragging this on as well? Are they justified just because they are "upset"? Do you know what it means when people get upset because they don't understand what is being said?

So you're saying that disabled people who get called 'retard' are only upset because they are lacking common sense?

Screw context. 'Retarded' is just an archaic, massively offensive word. Do not use it again.

sponger

harmless_little_f*** wrote:

So you're saying that disabled people who get called 'retard' are only upset because they are lacking common sense?

I'm saying that you are lacking in common sense because you can't tell the difference between someone being called a retard and the usage of the word retard to discuss that particular situation.

Screw context? LOL. I guess it really is that far above your head.

Btw, maybe you should e-mail this website and tell its administrators that its contents are offensive and archaic.

http://www.aamr.org/

AAMR stands for "American Association for the Mentally Retarded".

Thou shalt not use the word retarded. lol.

harmless_little_f***

sponger wrote:

Btw, maybe you should e-mail this website and tell its administrators that its contents are offensive and archaic

1) For your benefit, yes, where this website has used the term 'mental retardation', it is offensive and archaic. I will not email them, because there would be no point. See point 2.

2) You've opened up the discussion very interestingly. Because the fact is, it's not only you, sponger, using this word. The fact is, most of America uses it as well with no qualms at all about its effects. Most of America - and Borat. (By the way, I think this is one of Borat's points.) Oh well, it doesn't matter does it. After all, this is not the only thing about America which is offensive and archaic. You may as well stay asleep if you're getting a headache from this discussion.

sponger

harmless_little_f*** wrote:

1) For your benefit, yes, where this website has used the term 'mental retardation', it is offensive and archaic. I will not email them, because there would be no point. See point 2.

2) You've opened up the discussion very interestingly. Because the fact is, it's not only you, sponger, using this word. The fact is, most of America uses it as well with no qualms at all about its effects. Most of America - and Borat. (By the way, I think this is one of Borat's points.) Oh well, it doesn't matter does it. After all, this is not the only thing about America which is offensive and archaic. You may as well stay asleep if you're getting a headache from this discussion.

Here we go again. We're finally getting to the bottom of your conversational meandering. It's the ole "I hate america" dialogue. Well, I'm glad we finally figured out what your problem really is. For awhile there, I thought you were severely lacking the ability to comprehend the difference between a perjorative and a technical term depending on the context. It turns out that you were just looking for an avenue to paint yourself as morally superior to us bone-headed americans.

Mental retardation is a technical and scientifically accepted term used to describe those who suffer from severe mental deficiencies. Some people use it in a derogatory manner. That's upsetting. But, in other cases, it is being used with every intent to be objective. The word "retarded" is just as necessary to describe people with an uncommonly low IQ as the word "genius" is used to describe people on the opposite end of the spectrum. Sometimes, in the case of deliberate belittlement, the word "retarded" develops a negative connotation. But, to simply outlaw the usage of that word because of that negative connotation is just impractical and borderline thought police.

redrock

Sponger... dictionary definition of retarded...

re·tard·ed (r-tärdd) Pronunciation Key
adj.
Often Offensive. Affected with mental retardation.

Note: 'often offensive'. I would say plain offensive....

Riot_Rain

I don't know anyone with Asperger's but I have read The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time by Mark Haddon. I found it really interesting and a good read. I do wonder what people with Asperger's think of it.

My dad is 59 and is just being diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum. That put many things in a different light, including my own childhood and current behaviour!

harmless_little_f***

sponger wrote:

Here we go again. We're finally getting to the bottom of your conversational meandering. It's the ole "I hate america" dialogue. Well, I'm glad we finally figured out what your problem really is. For awhile there, I thought you were severely lacking the ability to comprehend the difference between a perjorative and a technical term depending on the context. It turns out that you were just looking for an avenue to paint yourself as morally superior to us bone-headed americans.

Mental retardation is a technical and scientifically accepted term used to describe those who suffer from severe mental deficiencies. Some people use it in a derogatory manner. That's upsetting. But, in other cases, it is being used with every intent to be objective. The word "retarded" is just as necessary to describe people with an uncommonly low IQ as the word "genius" is used to describe people on the opposite end of the spectrum. Sometimes, in the case of deliberate belittlement, the word "retarded" develops a negative connotation. But, to simply outlaw the usage of that word because of that negative connotation is just impractical and borderline thought police.

Don't turn this into 'You are an enemy of America' crap. You realise how stupid that sounds? I don't hate America, I hate ignorance.

In the UK we stopped using the word 'retard/retarded/retardation' at roughly the same time we all stopped using the word 'nigger'.

redrock

I've dealt with children with Asperger in a classroom enviroment. The children are of normal IQ (some higher than others but within normal range).

As a poster said, people with asperger's have deficiencies in social and communication skills, and like the better known symptoms of autism, do not like change, like things to be the same, whether it is people, surroundings, food, etc. They may also get into obsessive routines. They have problems 'reading' people and may have problem with language (eg in not understanding imagery - using the expression 'don't put all your eggs in the same basket' a child responded panicking 'but I don't have any eggs - I must get eggs!!') and in communicating their thoughts. The children I dealt with had some or all of these symtoms at varying degrees. Looking at some of them, you may have thought they were a bit strange or even naughty but is is only due to their empathy and communication problems. Nothing to do with intelligence.

So Sadscaryguy... you may not be Einstein but neither are most of us!!!! What you must do is get as much info as you can on your syndrome... there are a lot like you out there.

Restless Soul

harmless_little_f*** wrote:

In the UK we stopped using the word 'retard/retarded/retardation' at roughly the same time we all stopped using the word 'nigger'.

You beat me to it - this point occurred to me too as I was reading this thread

Sponger: why don't you admit you are losing the battle here. Just admit gracious defeat because there is no way its ok to use the word "retard" like that, unless you want to come across like some insensitive ignoramus. I don't think you meant it the way it was taken when you first used the word even though I find it an objectionable word, but your arguments since have cast a different picture.

Some things are not just about context. It's not just about being "over-PC" either (which was originally supposed to be about having consideration in the first place). Some things just are wrong anyway.

sponger

Restless Soul wrote:

I don't think you meant it the way it was taken when you first used the word even though I find it an objectionable word, but your arguments since have cast a different picture.

My arguments have been consistent with my original usage of the word. So when you say that my first usage was not meant in a way it was taken, but my later arguments show otherwise, then you are just contradicting yourself.

I have not lost this argument --not by a long shot. I'm just incredibly surprised at how some of you seriously lack even the slightest understanding of what it means when a word is taken out of context. I keep having to explain this over and over again, but it seems some people have already made up their minds.

sponger

harmless_little_f*** wrote:

Don't turn this into 'You are an enemy of America' crap. You realise how stupid that sounds? I don't hate America, I hate ignorance.

In the UK we stopped using the word 'retard/retarded/retardation' at roughly the same time we all stopped using the word 'nigger'.

Hilarious. I never said you were an enemy of america. I said you just like to express an opinion that endears hatred toward america. Hating america doesn't make you its enemy. I guess if I thought that, it would mean I am stupid. But, I'm not the one who thought that. You were.

At any rate, "nigger" is not a technical term. Nor has it ever been. It is perfectly possible to give reference to a black person without using the word "nigger"

On the other hand, it is not possible to give specific reference toward people with certain mental deficiencies without using the word "retarded".

Yes, I know some countries have adopted alternative terms, but those terms are vague and lack specificity in describing certain traits that only the word "retarded" can encompass. This lack of specificity and its related impracticalities is well documented within the psychiatric community. That is, in the pursuit of being PC, the profession of mental health has had to sacrifice its own ability to distinguishe between varying levels of mental deficiency.

That goes a long way from using the word "nigger". I find it rather alarming that I have to explain this major difference to you. You seriously lack the capacity to distinguish between the subtle differences that exist between two.