So, I've kinda wanted an Aspie t-shirt for a while and so far "autistic kids rock" is my favourite. I think it's funny 'cause it's true in at least 2 ways, as a verb and as an adjective
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I've seen that shirt. T-Shirt Hell sold it a while back, which is kind of funny considering they carry some extremely offensive shirts. There was a post about it here a long time ago when the shirt first came out. I don't remember when it was, but if I remember correctly, I and a lot of other people found it to be hilarious.
The T-shirt Hell version, IMO, was offensive, as it had a picture of a child sitting in a near-fetal position against a wall. The kid looked like he was having a major meltdown. I don't think picturing a child's meltdown on a t-shirt makes a pro-autism statement.
However, I think the phrase "Autistic Kids Rock" or just "Autistics Rock" is not offensive on its own. I would not only wear a shirt like that (without the accompanying picture), I would also let either of my autistic kids wear one if they liked it.
It was an existing shirt I saw which said "Autistic Kids Rock" but with just the words. No picture. Ugh, agree that a picture of a kid banging against a wall is inappropriate for a shirt.
I like "Autistics Rock" much much more. If it wasn't grammatically incorrect, I'd add a picture of a rock to the shirt too, just to add a third meaning.
IMO this t-shirt is one of those things that gets most of its social meaning in context. I agree with the commenters before me that the slogan is kind of funny as a double entendre *in itself*. However, given the context of T-Shirt Hell, I'd imagine the original artist was probably just trying to be somewhat scandalous at the expense of "autistic kids". I think some of their shirts are funny and I cringe at others, but regardless, their context is "being off-color" more than "saying witty things in a spirit of earnest support". Which is also to say, I think you will probably unintentionally offend people who figure that anything bought from that site *must* be making fun of something, and therefore you must be making fun of people on the spectrum by wearing it. Whether their assumptions are your problem is a whole other question :).
I've got that top and wear it whenever I can. I did get some odd looks from people when I first wore it in public, but I didn't care. I have AS, I'm not offended by what my top says (it's true, after all!) so the opinions of NT others mean nothing.
Yeah, I commented on this t-shirt above, before I scrolled down and saw a photo of it. I don't consider the words offensive- in fact I would wear a shirt with the slogan or let my kids wear one- but to me that picture is disturbing, as to me that person appears to be having a meltdown, and meltdowns are not cute or funny or clever.
Sorry, when I said "to me that picture is disturbing" I meant the depiction of an autistic person that appears on the shirt, not the photograph of you wearing it.
I'm with you on this one, concrete_stare. I'm an Aspie and raised an Aspie son. Too many memories and images of too many meltdowns to find it funny when a t-shirt company uses autism to 1) "be cool," 2) attempt to be non-politically correct and therefore so subversive, oooooo, and 3) MAKE MONEY.
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However, I think the phrase "Autistic Kids Rock" or just "Autistics Rock" is not offensive on its own. I would not only wear a shirt like that (without the accompanying picture), I would also let either of my autistic kids wear one if they liked it.
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I like "Autistics Rock" much much more. If it wasn't grammatically incorrect, I'd add a picture of a rock to the shirt too, just to add a third meaning.
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I think some of their shirts are funny and I cringe at others, but regardless, their context is "being off-color" more than "saying witty things in a spirit of earnest support".
Which is also to say, I think you will probably unintentionally offend people who figure that anything bought from that site *must* be making fun of something, and therefore you must be making fun of people on the spectrum by wearing it. Whether their assumptions are your problem is a whole other question :).
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