Change The Definition of Autism.

Rejected 11 signatures

What the petition asks

To remove the terms “Autism Spectrum Disorder” and “ASD” from all legal, medical, governmental, charitable and educational literature and discussions. Autistic people are simply another diversity group, not a “broken” or “disordered” version of the majority.

As an autistic person, the term “Autism Spectrum Disorder” is both antiquated and hurtful. Disordered compared to who? For me and many others, being autistic is meaningful. We are simply different and should be accepted, not categorised as a “disordered”version of the majority of the population. All I, and the rest of the autistic community want, is to be accepted for who we are. That we do not need fixed, changed or have to read medicalised and hurtful language about ourselves.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We can't accept your petition because the UK Government and Parliament aren't responsible for the issue you raise. The UK Government and Parliament aren't responsible for deciding the words people use, including in the education and charitable sector.

You could start a petition calling for the UK Government not to use the phrase “Autism Spectrum Disorder” and “ASD” in official docuemnts and publication it publishes, if that's what you'd like to see happen.

Timeline

23 Oct 2020	Petition opened for signatures
3 Dec 2020	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 11

Status Rejected

Rejected 3 Dec 2020

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