"Aspies"

1. What a coincidence here, with Jack Stine's letter to the editor concerning the changing of names for children with a certain type of bipolar disorder. The publication I'm going to be writing to is the Star Tribune, in response to an article written about how Asperger's syndrome will no longer be classified as a separate diagnosis from Autism. The article outlines the key differences between Autism and Asperger's, it even goes so far as to use the nickname "Aspies" for those with Asperger's syndrome, and even though this is a nickname they gave themselves--I almost feel as though using the nickname both in the title and in the article is an invasion of their space, which stigmatizing in it's own right, showing to the whole world that they are, in a sense, outcasts from the rest of us. Essentially, I saw it as a mockery to them. The tone of the article seems less sensitive to their individuality and seems more focused on creating roused opinions rather than focusing entirely on the issue at hand.

2. Dear Ms. Tanner

I'm writing concerning the article published on the 11th of February about the "Aspies" and the proposed change to have all patients with Aspergers Syndrome listed under the diagnosis of Autism. I found the way in which you presented this matter quite unfair: the article seems to call to attention many different opinions on the topic, but my problem is with the free use of the nickname "Aspies". When I first read the title, I saw it as a mockery, and as I read the article, I saw it as an invasion of space. A reporter using that kind of a nickname (and I'm assuming it was used without "permission" from those included in the Aspie group) creates a kind of stigmatization against the group from the get-go. Perhaps you should rethink your choice of words before assuming that it is naturally OK to use such a personalized term for a group of which you have no part.

Megan Kelly