fold faq What does the term Autie refer to?
‘Autie’ is an informal shortened version of the word ‘Autistic’ but also means ‘on the Autism Spectrum’. So where the term ‘Aspie’ doesn’t refer to the Autistic end of the Autism Spectrum, the word ‘Autie’ includes Asperger’s, PDD, PDD-NOS as all being Autism Spectrum Conditions. ‘Autie’ is a term that has been adopted by those who prefer to see Autism as more than just a medical/psychiatric term. When used to mean ‘those with Autism Spectrum Conditions’ it is a familiar, perhaps warmer and less clinical way of refering to having a condition, particularly as some people have been mistreated or traumatised for having a developmental disability or condition and this has given some of them a way of feeling more comfortable with that label. Nevertheless, there are some people who prefer the formal terms and they are welcome to use those with neither group imposing their politics or reality on the other.
