Autism is a quite strong diagnosis at the end of a spectrum. Not every tech-loving introvert is autistic. That's the kind of arrogant attitude that marginalizes nerds and on a forum like HN people really ought to know better.
replyAs somebody who identified a lot with what's in that article I can say that I haven't just made peace with having been "different" but I love it and wouldn't want it any different comparing my life today with that of the arrogant non-nerds who made fun of us back in school.
Would you give it a rest? It's being used here as a colloquial term that's distinct from an actual medical diagnosis.
replyAnd it's time that colloquial term is put to a rest. We've left other terms behind us which used to be thrown around mindlessly but were (are) actually hurtful, we will manage with that term too.
replyThe colloquial use of the word “autism” carries with it a specific connotation and mind image. That primarily negative stereotype is being reinforced by the joke by way of it being delivered as a medical diagnosis (“the results are back”).
replyYour parent comment is arguing against perpetuating the wrong negative connotations and lack of understanding of autism.
Not to say the original author was doing it maliciously, I don’t think they were.
And before I’m lynched, I was that kid too and I agree with the author. It was just funnily written.
replyI was that kid too, and I probably have Autism
reply(yes, I know we're all on the spectrum somewhere, but a diagnosis is defined as it impacting your life severely, and I think many people would say that I have many autistic traits that are negative).
This is also the sort of obsession that follows ADHD. Source: me
replyI mean i did this sort of thing a ton and am not on the spectrum. Idk when being "quirky" meant you are autistic, seems like it was within the last 7-10 years though.
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