Is autism in all cases considered a serious disability?

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I'm guessing it's serious because it affects every aspect of your life and can often lead to things like depression and other mental health issues. It profoundly impacts how you act and think about the world, so don't think it can ever be seen as a "minor" thing (unlike something like dyslexia). But on the other hand, there is a large spectrum too it, and some people are only considered to be "mildly" affected

It can vary. Some Diagnostic references recognise different degrees by the amount of support a person is likely to require. It is also possible to have a profile which undoubtedly is Autistic but living in a combination if circumstances which can use the strengths and not be too badly affected by the weak points on that profile.

Like what Rowan said, it varies. For most high functioning autistics (including aspie's), I wouldn't exactly say it is "very serious", since they will be able to lead independent lives with only a few issues. In the UK, we have 3 levels of support depending on the severity of the ASD the person has. The vast majority of HFA's/aspie's will be in level 3 (requiring some support - this is primarily used in school's to ensure the child has access to special needs resources). Myself and the more moderate autistics find ourselves in level 2 (requiring substantial support). Basically this is the ones who would have difficulties living independently for various reasons (I'm 25, still living with parents), for example, very bad with money, hygiene, sleep, social skills, sensory issues etc which have a severe enough impact to warrant a level 2 assessment. People in level 2 can be verbal or non-verbal, but generally don't have a learning difficulty. Level 1 (requiring very substantial support) is reserved for the most severely affected autistics (you wouldn't find any aspie's here). This is for the non-verbal autistics who have intellectual disabilities too, such as those with Fragile X Syndrome, Rett Syndrome etc.

In terms of percentages, it's something like 90% of those with HFA/Asperger's will be in Level 3, 10% in Level 2 and none in Level 1. So in terms of those with Level 3, I'd say 80-90% of them could live full independent ADULT lives with no support at all (unless they end up with a related mental health issue such as sever anxiety and/or depression).

I have more analytical approach to thinking of the spectrum:
I believe there is the "core" part of autism - impaired or very unusual social mechanisms in the brain; then the "neurodiverse comorbids" - sensory issues, dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, etc.; "other comorbids" - any other conditions affecting the person; then the developmental history - traumas, relationship with primary caregivers, etc.; then actual social situation - how the society reacts to the person.
Only the combination of them all constitutes one's final functioning abilities.

Yes, I do believe wise caregivers and tolerant society can make up for a lot of the first three dimensions of autism - and lack of them can render a potentially succesfull HFA unable to live independently.

Many people with autism do not have a "serious" disability.

Well, yes and no really. All of us with an ASD are not neurotypical, because a person has to have a disability/disorder "serious" enough to not be considered neurotypical. Serious does not have to mean severe or low-functioning, it can just mean your condition can affect you socially, intellectually or emotionally enough to make a few things challenging in life that neurotypicals take for granted, for example, making friends or learning to live independently. A person with Downs syndrome without autism may still struggle in similar areas like us, even though it's not the same thing, but, like autism, Downs is a life-long condition and will have challenges in life.

I have aspergers but its not serious at all. It doesn't effect my daily life at all anymore, only my educational life. I think it effects me as much as someone with ADHD or dyslexia would be effected.

In my case I've used my special interest to do a job that pays well for three decades.

I think this totally depends on the person and as we all know Autism is a spectrum with varying degrees of intensity. For myself I have 5 other neuroses to add to the mix so for me life can be excruciatingly difficult and quite painful at times.

I am looking forward to the day when I will receive the full of support that I need from both a therapist, psychologist and social worker standpoint to the expensive pharmaceutical drugs that I require.

_________________
*** High Functioning Autism - Asperger's Syndrome ***

ADHD, OCD, and PTSD.

Keep calm and stim away.

Have always been classified as "significant special needs".

It is a terrible feeling to be alone and have no friends and not accepted by society. There needs to be more acceptance of people with autism and other disabilities.

I'm on disability, so I consider it to be a disability. I don't consider it to be a serious disability in my case though, because there are a lot of things that I can do.

Posting as someone not yet officially diagnosed but with comorbid psychiatric problems (at last psych appointment it was reckoned that ASD + schizophrenia fits best).

I get social care support for 3 hours a week. Any more than that and I'd have to pay. My care plan says it's to allow me to continue living independently in my home. My stepdaughter also provides ongoing support.

A previous supporting letter for disability benefits stated I had "Limited ability to live independently in the community"
I have a probable learning difficulty with non-verbal intelligence being markedly lower than verbal. This involves having difficulty with practical tasks.

Having said that I would consider myself as severely mentally ill but if autistic fitting level 3 (although I thought with the dsm level 1 was the least disabled?)

A social disability can be serious if you appear naive and timid to others and they see you as someone to be made fun of or taken advantage of.
I've lost too much money from trusting people too much.

I've never considered it to be a serious disability, though since I'm on disability I just might be wrong.

I was able to function, for the most part, while living on my own. It was certainly challenging, but I managed to keep myself alive and have a place to live, I even managed to keep a cat alive and happy.

I was able to maintain a job for 15+ years. Though my symptoms have seemingly deteriorated, my social abilities, memory, and ADD (et al.) have gotten progressively worse, or maybe it just seems that way. Regardless my work suffered and things went awry from there. Could I potentially do another job? Possibly.

So, as others have said, it'll vary.