Why do people without autism define people with autism as 'Aspies' or 'autistic'? If it's a kid, seems like people are slapping a label on a kid's forehead like a warning.
Because labels are shortcuts to understanding. We also label people Black, White, Christian, Muslim, American, French, Hispanic, Gay, Hetero, Trans, Rich, Poor, Lawyer, Laborer, Democrat, Republican, and a million other things.
When we say those words, we think it tells us something about them. And it's true - it does tell us
something about them. But it doesn't tell us
everything about them. Labels fail us when we begin to think that knowing a label is the same as knowing a whole person.
Autism is a part of me and it's an appropriate label. But it's just one facet on my diamond. I have a lot of other facets, too. If anyone cares to see the others, they can begin to get an idea of who I really am.