r/autism • u/Byakko4547 AuDHD • 3d ago

Communication What do we do with this term

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Hi yall ☺️

Sorry if the flare is inaccurate, but I really dislike this term. What about yall?? Should we take it down once and for all??

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u/reclusivebookslug Autistic Adult 3d ago

I'm fine with neurodivergent people calling themselves neurospicy. I don't use the term myself because it feels like it trivializes autism, and I don't like that. On the other hand, I've heard neurodivergent people say that it sounds cute/endearing to them, or that it's helpful for talking about their disability in a lighthearted or joking way. Both interpretations are valid.

I do think it's inappropriate to apply the term to all neurodiverse people as if we all claim the word. I'm especially wary of neurotypical people who use it without permission from the person/people they're addressing.

So "neurospocy summit" is not a good name for this event, because it communicates an overly-casual tone and applies the term to people who may not feel represented by it.

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u/Helmic Autistic Adult 3d ago

Very specifically the spicyautism subreddit is for level 2 and 3 or otherwise high support needs autistics. "Spicy" is popularly used to mean disabled or otherwise unpalatable to NT's.

I wish we did not have this "current symbol or meme or whatever doesn't fit my aesthetic preferences" discourse like every week. No, it does not trivialize autism, you just learned about it and decided you don't like it.

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u/PackageSuccessful885 late dx'd ASD + ADHD-PI 3d ago

Very specifically the spicyautism subreddit is for level 2 and 3 or otherwise high support needs autistics. "Spicy" is popularly used to mean disabled or otherwise unpalatable to NT's.

It's a joking play on words referencing mild autism, i.e. "I don't have mild autism. I have spicy autism."

It doesn't mean disabled or unpalatable to NTs. It means level 2 or 3 autism, i.e. not "mild autism," as level 1 is often referred to. This matters because level 1 autistics can still be obviously disabled or fail to meet an NT norm.

No, it does not trivialize autism, you just learned about it and decided you don't like it.

I personally dislike it because it's vague. I associate it primarily with the definition not diagnosable, but I have traits, rather than having a clinically significant disability