re: Is The Word "Retarded" Offensive?

That's helpful when you can give people a simple answer. Not saying autism is simple by any means, but it's one word that people know and generally have a basic understanding of. My son has autism, too, but that's not his main diagnosis or the reason he needs a wheelchair. When I say his primary diagnosis I then have to give a little lesson on what that is and why he has autism and needs his wheelchair, etc. Sometimes disabled is much easier.