Do you consider autism a disability?

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I have very mild autism, so I think of it as a very mild disability, but when it’s combined with my comorbids, it’s pretty disabling.

I've been a clerk for 38 years. No promotion, even though I know more than just about everybody there.

I feel like my autism is a disability because if I wasn't autistic, I would have at least been a supervisor at this point.

It's okay. I'm retiring in 3 1/2 years anyway.

It's my fault, to be honest. I have a tendency to meow in the halls. I was written up because of this about 25 years ago LOL

I'm not the originator of this saying, and I've read or heard it said by more than one person, but I agree with it 100%: I'm not affected by autism in the least when I'm alone in my own environment. I feel completely "normal". I find that very interesting.

Antax: The US government (at least most of it) considers it a disability and you can (in some places at least) get services govt support and other things b/c of it which is all that really matters to me. And yes I agree I at least would prefer to have an NT brain.

In textbooks and majority's opinion: Yes.

In my opinion: Either. It can be a matter of when and why than a flat-out yes/no.
What, as much as the majority exists, should those that don't be ignored?

What I truly consider a disability? Human limitations. Always have, and always will be.
Be it the individual cannot handle autism itself and have a disability out of it for any reason or circumstance, or that individuals and society cannot/refuse to handle autistic individuals for whatever reasons or circumstance.


In my own case though? All I need is a better EF. No need to get rid of autism. Autism is just a weight for me to carry as much as any who does.
But to able to afford it's weight and the willingness to carry the weight is another story.

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I don't consider myself disabled, as my level of functioning has improved quite a lot in the past six years. I find anxiety and panic attacks very disabling when they happen.

I don't think it's a disability; I think it's a minority.
But society is such that we are not included.

To establish whether or not autism is a disability, we must first determine what it means to have a disability.

Disability - 1. a physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.

2. a disadvantage or handicap, especially one imposed or recognized by the law.

3. any continuing condition that restricts everyday activities.

Under all of these definitions, people on the low-functioning end have a disability, but for people on the higher-functioning end it's not as clear-cut.

1. At very least you could argue that those with hyposensitivity and hypersensitivity have limits on their senses. You could also make the case that executive functioning issues and deficits in social skills limit one's activities. So under this definition, autism would be a disability unless you lack sensory issues, executive functioning issues and issues with social skills.

2. Considering that having poor social skills is a major disadvantage, and autistic people are grossly overrepresented In unemployment statistics, under this definition Autism would have to be a disability.

3. You could really make the case either way. Depends on the individual for this definition.