What does “acoustic” mean?
“Acoustic” is an ableist slur for “autistic.” Many bullies and trolls will use “autistic” as an insult, and it’s a form of ableism, or discrimination against people who are disabled. Calling someone “autistic” as an insult isn’t kind, fair, or sensible, but online trolls do it nonetheless. To avoid getting too much heat for using “autistic” as an insult, people will say “acoustic” because the two words sound so similar. People typically comment, “Why did they do that? Are they acoustic?” to indicate that they think the person’s behavior is ignorant or ridiculous. Many trolls and bullies will use “artistic” or “autismo” the same way. This is not a joke, it’s a slur. The implication is that there’s something wrong with being autistic, and the word is being used as an insult. There’s nothing wrong with people who are autistic, and they have nothing to be ashamed of.
Why don’t they just say “autistic?”
People use “acoustic” to avoid being banned and for plausible deniability. If someone uses “autistic” as an insult, they’re much more likely to get flagged and banned on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and other online platforms. So, to get around the report filters, they’ll use a word that sounds like “autistic” but isn’t. People may think that using a word other than “autistic” gives them plausible deniability. If they get called out for being ableist and cruel, they might try and play it off like they meant something else. There is no functional difference between using “autistic” or “acoustic” as a slur. Whether it gets flagged by an online filter or not doesn’t matter—it’s not okay to use either one as an insult.
How to Reply if Someone Calls You “Acoustic”
Ignore it if there’s an online troll annoying you. You’ll normally encounter “acoustic” in online communities where things like ableism, racism, or misogyny are prevalent. If someone throws this kind of slur out, they’re probably just trying to get a reaction. Don’t feed the trolls! Hit the “block” and/or “report” buttons and just move on. Feel free to push back if you want! You could say, “That’s really not a kind thing to say,” or, “There’s nothing wrong with being autistic. Cut it out.” Just know that in anonymous online interactions, you’re not likely to get a productive reply.
Educate them if you think it’s worth your time. Some people cluelessly use slurs without really knowing why they’re harmful. If you suspect the person using this word could reasonably be educated, feel free to try talking to them about their behavior and why it’s upsetting. You might say: “I have a cousin who has autism, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with them. Do you know why it’s hurtful to say that?” “What if I were autistic? Would you still say that around me? If not, why are you saying it at all?” “I know you well enough to know you’re not trying to be mean, but that’s kind of a nasty thing to say. Do you get what’s upsetting about that?”
Set boundaries if this is a person you know IRL. If you don’t think education is something appropriate here, just put your foot down and make it clear you won’t tolerate ableist language or slurs. You could reply: “Don’t be hateful in front of me. I’m not going to let you be cruel like that and just not say anything.” “It’s not acceptable to use those kinds of slurs. I’m going to kindly ask you not to do that again.” “You’re being ableist. That’s not something I’m comfortable listening to, so please don’t do that.”
Try to get them to own what they mean in a public setting. If you’re comfortable calling them out a little bit (and it’s totally okay if you aren’t!), you can try to get the person to say what they really mean. When they call you or someone else “acoustic,” say, “I don’t know what you mean? What are you trying to say?” They’ll either back down or be forced to embarrassingly explain why they’re being cruel to people with autism. This can be a great way to drive home just how mean and pointless ableism is. A lot of people get wrapped up in the silliness of online subcultures that use slurs like “acoustic,” and when that behavior transfers over into real life, they don’t really internalize how their words can impact people.
Key Takeaways
“Acoustic” is a harmful slur, so don’t use it. It’s never okay to put down people with autism or use terms like “acoustic,” “autismo,” or “autistic” as an insult, whether or not the person in question actually has autism. If you are set on calling out someone for their behavior, use words that actually describe what the problem is. For instance, say, “That’s not a good idea,” or “That’s ridiculous.” That said, it’s not okay or productive to insult people online, whether or not you know them or like what they have to say. If you see something you don’t like or disagree with, scroll past it and move on.
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