As this thread is very important, as the decisions being made could mean a big difference to the comfort levels of the current members and any future members, I will just give my opinion.
First of all, after being a regular poster for about two and a half months, I have seen how great Aspies Central: Aspergers & Autism Community is. I thus have full trust in Brent and the moderators to do the right things, with regards to any name changes and growth, and after they hear the messages in this thread from the members.
In my opinion, this does not have to be about quantity versus quality, as in this case they are mutually exclusive. There are small groups and forums that are awful, neutral and great, and large ones that are superb and horrendous, or in-between, too. It all depends on that founder and moderators, and so I have no problem with trying to expand for other reasons, as I feel the founder and moderators have been extremely fair, knowledgeable, proactive and dedicated, and their forum will always be special whatever they decide.
It is impossible for any forum or group to please all the members. Changes are scary, too, as we have seen daily with our two Autistic children, but sometimes trying new things is important. With change comes learning or growth sometimes. I personally do not choose an online forum or group because of the name of it, as that seems superficial to me, and if it is too exclusive it could remind me of a clique, like the bullies at school who felt they were better than the rest. There are great non-Aspies and non-Autistic who are empathetic to Aspie issues, and who believe in supporting, assisting and need to learn about such issues.
This forum as it is now is not just for those with Aspergers, and if you look at the makeup of the group, so please understand that and do not let that Aspie Central main name mislead you, as currently this is for the Autism community too according to the site. But, what does an Aspergers and Autism community mean to you all? Only those medically diagnosed with such? Those self-diagnosed, too? What about those who have many signs and symptoms of such? Does this community and the future community include the caregivers, friends and significant others of those persons with such conditions? Or let's push them out or into a corner?
There are pros and cons to both small and large groups. That is obvious. Please trust Brent and the moderators that growth does not equate to a lack of safeness or friendliness, but could also lead to more with such conditions and their supporters to being more understood, supported, appreciated or assisted. I personally only choose being a member of a group that relates much to me or family, and that would include similar others too who relate. If the founder and majority here ever wants to make it just an Aspergers community, I have no problem with that, as that is their right. That community would not be for I and my sons in the future, but I would wish them well. I would then just search elsewhere, or just create my own one day when I have more time; one that is inclusive of any who relates to Autism and Aspergers in any way, but with great moderation, too. Right now I do not have the time though, as we are homeschooling our kids until next mid May.
I hope I do not offend any here, but like those on the Spectrum, I always tell the truth as I see it, and do not always have to be politically correct. I have my own beliefs that may differ from yours, but I respect that. But, I see those with an Aspergers diagnosis or who feel they have that condition instead of Autism, as not being better than those who are labeled as Autistic or who see themselves with Autism or ASD. I see those on the lower end and middle of the spectrum as just as great as those with Aspergers, and just as safe and friendly as those with Aspergers, too, and just as deserving of support and safety. They may show and express this in different ways, but that is how I truly feel. I value and appreciate any who relates in any way to Autism-related issues. So, I personally do not believe in excluding those with Autism from those with Aspergers, and as currently in the US medical community there is no distinction, and as those with Autism are excluded enough in society as well, including their families.
Admittedly, I get mixed messages from persons here, and likely because those on the spectrum can be so different, which is cool, so it will be hard for any member too to always reply precisely. For instance, many are okay with self-diagnoses, but many are not. Many respect and trust medical opinion, whereas others seem neutral, or think doctors are quacks. Some here are ok with or want change, but others do not. Some want support, others want to learn, and others want to make friends or find a significant other, or a combination, and these desires could change at a moments notice, too.. Some want opinions about their relationship with one on the spectrum, or even opinion on what diagnosis they could have, to supplement their research and own opinions. But, with regards to those who think only doctors have all the answers, again, by that theory everyone in the US in this forum has Autism Spectrum Disorder then, and not Aspergers, according to the DSM-5, as the medical psychiatric and psychological establishments now says Aspergers diagnosis does not exist.
Actually, we as parents are proud to tell others our children have Autism, and I as a parent look forward to replying back in persons to any warped thinking about what Autism means, to educate them. And we are proud that we are not labeling our children as having Aspergers just so as they could possibly be accepted by some in society more. I will not let our sons be seen as Aspergers just because some societal members may think those persons are less dysfunctional or cooler. So, my only suggestion is, if the new forum ever changes to just for those with Aspergers and excludes and pushes away those with Autism and their families and significant others, then please consider not using that colorful wheel anymore, as the wheel then should be one color, and not symbolic of a rainbow of colors of persons along the spectrum if you are not including them.
But, in summary, nothing I have heard from Brent and his vision so far has concerned me. If anything, I think it is a great thing, not only what he has done with his wonderful efforts and commitment, but with his plans for the future, too, to help more, and based on the moderation team that is here that has graciously put so much time and efforts here to without much appreciation. Again, no matter what Brent and his staff chooses, there will be some that come and go. A great founder often has to do things for the benefit of the majority, and not obsess about those losses as that was their choice to go. I feel with greater forum exposure, more Autistic persons will join where they can learn, and get something from the site that will benefit them. The unselfish thing is to want to help more others, if that is the main reason for the growth. I am sorry if that statement offends, but without bias, this is how I truly feel, after analyzing both sides to things and after empathizing also with those who love small forums for comfort, and thinking about many other nice and friendly Autistics and Aspergers persons and their families who do not yet know about this forum and which could provide benefit by name change.
I have faith that Brent and his staff know how to help out more with such Autistic issues, by getting more members, but to still make things comfortable and friendly. As a person that personally prefers very small groups, and even just one-to-one communication because of social anxiety issues, and mistrust issues, and as I my entire life avoided groups of persons, even I can see how the friendliest and most caring thing to do is to try to bring in more persons needing of support and direction, etc, but at the same time to keep up the great moderation to make sure safety measures are in place.