| > I'm expressing that I found the use of the phrase 'severe autism' in a response to an article explaining why 'there is no severe autism' to be a problematic use of language that felt disrespectful to me. What does "problematic" mean here, exactly? As for "disrespectful"; how is it disrespectful of anything other than your opinion? Why is your opinion deserving of more respect, here? You do not have "severe autism" and cannot speak from their child's experience; if anything, it's disrespectful to pretend that you have more authority on the subject than the actual parent and caregiver. > 2. I absolutely understand that this is a parent concerned over "who will take care of my son when I'm gone". Let me ask you this: what does that question have to do with the essay? ... That's a take, but it's one I disagree with it. That's fine. What moral or intellectual authority do you have to dictate the appropriate conversations people may independently have in response to your essay? You're welcome to disagree, in which case you can post a rebuttal. Moral disapproval is not effective disagreement. > 3. Thanking a parent for being invested in their kid's future isn't patronizing or inappropriate. Many parents of Autistic kids aren't. I was speaking sincerely, and if you're reading sarcasm or passive aggression in my tone I'd suggest you reflect on what you know about Autistic tone and stop projecting onto me. In this context, it implies you have standing as a recipient or beneficiary of their actions, such that you're in a position to express or deny them your gratitude. If you don't see why that's inappropriate, I'd "suggest you reflect on what you know" about the social expression of gratitude, and consider why expressing gratitude for something very personal to someone else — and entirely external to yourself — could be an inappropriate, patronizing co-opting of what they've shared. > 4. I can't control anyone's words or behavior. All I said was that I found the comment disrespectful. You're certainly trying to, by claiming a form of moral authority instead of using reasoned debate to convince other people of the validity of your point of view. You've disagreed with me across the board, and used terminology I find offensive when applied to me — why is that not disrespectful by your own metric? If I told you "that's disrespectful", would it convince you of my position? If we both say "that's disrespectful", do we have to toss a coin to decide who wins? |