Is Down's syndrome really easier than having autism?

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I was told by one of my online friends it's easier to have Downs than autism. Is this true? Does anyone else think it's easier or agree it's easier? If so, why? Could it be because people don't expect so much out of you because they can see you are different and they are more likely to give you work because they feel more sorry for you. I think my online friend also said it's easier to get a job when you have DS.

Is having low functioning autism easier than having high functioning autism? I think I have heard somewhere it is easier and I am not sure why. Could it be because when you're low functioning, you look different and it's obvious and people don't expect much out of you so it makes things a lot easier for you. When you're high functioning, people assume you're normal and expect more out of you and assume you're lazy or a dumb ass. I think my online friend also said low functioning autism is easier to have than high functioning but I don't remember.

I would think it depends on what you'd call easier or harder. I would say both are equally easy and equally hard in their own way. I would also want to take into consideration the person themself. Aspie or not, some people can cope with things better than others and some people can cope with one thing but not another and opposite for someone else. I would imagine its all point of view. The greatest pain is always your own. -Power Girl

Actually, I think I would hate people expecting less of me because of the way I look, or giving me a job out of pity.

Agreed. I hate how people don't take me seriously when I'm angry because I'm small and don't look like much of a threat. Looks can be decieving. I tend to surprise people with what I know simply because I don't show it at first glance. -Power Girl

Easier for whom, Beth? For parents? For behaviorial health providers? For the person WITH Down's Syndrome?

"Easier" is the giveaway. When that person mentioned it on the other site they didn't define "Easier" and makes no qualifications as to what 'Easier' means. It is a meaningless arguement unless someone has some actual criteria as to what defines easier.

I also find this sort of fuzzy definition when someone talks about how this or that diet 'improves' autism, but with no data on what the person was like before and what definate 'improvements' were when the diet was followed.

I guess a lot of that would depend on the severity of the autism.

For example, a person with Down's syndrome and a person with moderate-functioning autism might have the same IQ, but the person with Down's syndrome will have an easier time finding a job.

This is because there is still a misconception that Down's Syndrome= placid, obedient, childlike and Autism= defiant, violent, un-friendly.

Now...a person with high-functioning autism/Asperger's might also have a slightly harder time finding a grunt job than a person with Down's Syndrome, because the employer expects the person with HFA/AS to interview like anyone else. However, they won't have as hard of a time as someone with a more severe form of autism, due to the fact that an employer might not be able to tell that there is anything wrong with them, and hire them over the person who obviously has something wrong with them (the person with Down's).

When it comes to getting a job that ISN'T a grunt/*"smile" job, then a person with HFA/AS (assuming they had decent qualifications) would win, hands down.

*A "smile" job being, any low-skill job that emphasizes friendliness without any substance (exe. A Wal-Mart greeter)

As far as what's "easier" for daily living, it depends on how you define "easy".

It can amount to two questions:

1. What are your ambitions in life?
2. Do you want people to treat you differently, because of your disability?

If the answers are "Not much." and "Yes", then having Down's Syndrome is easier.

I believe so yes in some regards like how you aren't fully aware(this only corresponds to those with mid to extreme severity). People with ds seem so happy and carefree because they aren't fully aware about what goes on around them, like they are toddlers. People with ds aren't nearly as stressed as nt's or people on the autie spectrum(excluding mid to severe autism as well)Sometimes i wish i too was as carefree and unaware so that i don't have to deal with the hell that is stress.

I think it's worse to be down syndrome because with that syndrome you have only so many oppertunities in life. I wouldnt want to ne pitied for having down syndrome or any syndrome. Yes down syndome people are capable of holding down jobs and leading somewhat normal lives depending how severe they are, but being autistic doesnt make it easier.

people with DS are aware that people consider them differently and can suffer from self-esteem issues.

I agree that the real question is "easier for whom?" and that the person making such an asinine assumption also define "easier" as well as explain how they can measure whatever "easier" is.

how can one even know which would be easier to deal with? I've never had DS, I can't compare what I am to what I would be or how I would feel if I did. nobody can.

I asked my online friend how is DS easier and he hasn't answered it yet. We talk in PM. All I could do was make guesses when I analyzed it.

I know someone with Down's Syndrome in real life... I compared him with my LFA(low functioning autistic) uncle and found out that my uncle's life is quite easier compared to him..

But it really depends most of the time..especially with the person having the "disorder" I mean the "gift"..

Depends on what you mean by "autism".

If you mean Autistic Disorder, where most of the severe cases of autism reside (1/4 of the spectrum for the most part), then yeah, DS isn't as impairing on day to day activities compared to AD. Life expectancy is less with DS, but fatal seizures aren't that all unheard of in AD.

AS might offer a similar level of impairment in regards to global functioning, as skill distribution will be more uneven than someone with DS; socially, the person with DS will be a lot better than the individual with AS (this is generally speaking).

Those with DS who have profound mental retardation are probably close to those with AD.

All are quite severe ailments [in the majority of cases], and all offer a large diversity of "functioning" within the labels.

What is it like to be a bat?

Easier on whom. The person who has it, or the caregiver?

ruveyn

Two kids who know each other, one with Down's and one with autism immediately come to my mind.

The autistic kid currently is more hf than the Down's kid. Another was more lf than

The autistic kid seems milder (it's hard to tell, because the impairments are mostly different) than the kid with Down's.

This autistic kid has it harder socially in some ways, easier in others was than the Down's kid.

Now however if you take another kid with autism and another kid with Down's the whole thing looks mightily different.

The one thing that I think is the same for most is that both disabilities/disorders aren't really recognised. The Down's kid is pampered because Down's obvious all the time and people always think of it and the autistic kid is constantly pushed unfairly because he looks normal and people forget he's autistic and not just crazy.

That's miserable for both in terms of social orientations, independence and further overall development.