scaly_piscine

Finally got a reply from the PCC (Press Complaints Commission) who were utterly useless, had the usual horribly broken logic which by extension would lead to judgements even these idiots could see are plainly wrong. Apparently you're allowed to write prejudice-inducing tripe so long as the individual concerned doesn't complain that the descriptions used are unfair (even though they themselves will almost certainly not be in a position to judge perfectly).

Just can't be reading it once I see the 'sufferer' phraseology. Disgraceful and one day society might evolve far enough to realise it as well.

If your solicitor says it is okay and you don't mind the hassle I'd contact every local newspaper, radio etc. you can. Once people read about what an unreasonable pillock your headteacher is being it is only a matter of time before things are righted.

"including those suffering from autism" What a surprise to see that line in a piece of so-called journalism. Anyway seems fair enough to get awarded compensation and so forth.

Would think AS offspring would be more likely to not believe in an a particular religion as that is the logical stance.

Just bringing this up to date I received another letter from Ofcom which was much more encouraging. I'm now focusing on other sources who've been using similar phraseology, such as... well... practically everyone I think - BBC, newspapers, even had someone send me a link to a piece that was from an autism site. Part of the problem is people are so used to these phrases that they don't stop to question it. As I say earlier "AS sufferer" implies everyone with AS is a sufferer whether by accident or design. Being a "sufferer" doesn't mean you've suffered from something but could have had plenty of benefit too, it's passing a general negative judgement on a condition. I've a couple of other complaints pending at the moment. The worst one involved the Daily Mail - which likes to put "Asperger's Victim" on their front page headline, will be pretty disgusted if they get away with that. As for me... Well it's not a very private forum. I was originally on Aspie Village before it went poof one night. I'm fairly uninteresting, including my aptitude for word games which has gotten me more than my 15 minutes of fame. I'm usually around somewhere checking up on forums but don't post very often. You can PM me if you're particularly curious as to who I am.

On a Five News bulletin on 2nd August 9.55pm the phrase "Asperger's sufferer" was casually thrown out there by the newsreader in reference to Gary McKinnon. Whether or not it is accurate in relation to the individual is not important. Phrases like this have implications beyond the individual and are not acceptable in this day and age. I have already complained to Ofcom and have taken the issue higher up. The initial responses were not satisfactory, they concentrate on the technicalities of how he's a sufferer so it's okay and how only the odd individual being offended is fine with them. I suggest as many people on here as possible complain to Ofcom saying you find this phraseology offensive and explain to them that it negatively stigmatises all of us, just as "Asian sufferer", "white sufferer", "black sufferer" etc. would offend whole groups of people because of the generalised implications they undoubtedly have. They have a website form you can use to complain: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/complain/progs/spe.../?itemid=286480 You need to enter the program itself manually further down on the form. They will send letter(s) in response. Please don't derail this into a Gary McKinnon discussion. The issue here is the lazy, incompetent and damaging media reporting of AS which will continue whilst we allow it to.