I probably would not have been offended if it had been stated as part of “just the facts” alongside family history of physical and mental illness, or learning disabilities. That is what is now standard practice. Interestingly, I did not answer in the affirmative for several relatives who had been diagnosed with depression (also now believed by some to be a risk factor for autism)- there was stigma back then, and I didn’t know.
I would add that at the time, many professionals seemed to believe that autism was very rare, high-functioning autism was even less common, and that any genetic contribution was negligible. It was all in parenting “skills” or presumed lack thereof, and a parent with this type of education was presumed to lack parenting skills or empathy.
When we have gone over reports with agencies (these tend to be cumulative) we have been asked if there are any turns of phrases from old reports that we wanted revised. I had this pared down to a matter of fact statement several years ago, and that is what anyone new working with my child will see.
There is also an historical context to this beginning with the “refrigerator mother” theory, and anyone who is interested can read Neurotribes. Another interesting book to read is Roy Grinker’s Unstrange Minds. Roy Grinker is an anthropologist and also a parent. Iirc, his father was a child psychiatrist, and his wife is also a child psychiatrist.
I suppose we are getting OT here.