Whats Autism classed as?

[Hopinghonestly]

Just been diagnosed with Autism..(very late in life)

What is it classed as? Like its not mental health, not learning disability? What is it under? I'm filling out my online forms and i am confused what tick box you tick.

I would say it's a learning disability technically. Or disability anyway. Social disability maybe.

It's a neurodevelopmental condition

But...I was diagnosed dyslexic late in life and felt uncomfortable ticking learning disability so didn't put it on forms....as I know I'm not really that disabvantaged/can navigate without support. I guess if you need adjustments or support due to your autism tick it.

Agreed - it’s a developmental disability. However, it is strongly comorbid with other conditions, such as learning disabilities and MH conditions, such as anxiety snd depression. There are, however, many who are autistic and do not have an LD - such as my daughter.

Hmm confused about the ticklist... i dont feel disabled..i got diagnosed more for everyone else haha i think my quirks irritate others far more then myself 😂

Is this for the purpose of PIP or something? Put it under LD I guess but you’re right, it’s not that. Just explain properly in the text box, saying really clearly what you need help with.

A lot of autistic people would describe themselves as neurodiverse - ie their brain functions in slightly different ways to the mainstream, which has its pros and cons. But that won’t be helpful when applying for benefits.

Thank you, i will see if that option is on there :) it seems options are lumped together as either mental illness or learning disability on some forms..dont feel comfortable to comitting to either..

It’s classified legally as a disability- a hidden disability, though some people with autism don’t want to be categorised as such. It often comes with other conditions such as ADHD, Dyslexia, Anxiety etc which may attract another description, but no-one wants lots of labels!

What forms are you filling in? Who needs to know?

The word I tend to hear often is neurodiverse .

Id also go with developmental disability.

Hello. Fellow autistic here. It's developmental. It's often co-morbid as someone earlier said. I'm also dyslexic and I suspect, have ADHD.

No its for work :) apparently if you dont disclose health ect on new jobs its bad? Also i am quite obvious so colleagues would notice at some point...usually if its not disclosed they just think i am mean or weird.

Neurodiverse ....although all my teens just say they have a touch of the tism :)

Its work forms. Applying for work but not sure how to approach it.

Ah, so is it the occupation health form, or a text box in the generally application form? Is there a drop-down to choose from, or a box to fill in freehand?

It’s not a learning disability as it doesn’t permanently affect intelligence.

I used to always declare this on an application form when asking about a learning disability but since doing the NHS training on ASD and learning disability found out it is not a learning disability.

don't declare it and just ask for reasonable adjustments when you get the job.

developmental disability

Autism is a developmental disability, might also see it under social communication disability, really it should be in a category of its own. Or if they want to combine, maybe autism/ adhd.
Dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia are Specific Learning Difficulties, or SpLDs. Dyspraxia can also be classed as a physical disability, but this aspect of it is usually ignored.
Learning disabilities are more global, and can be classified as mild, moderate, and severe.
In US English, what UK English calls an SpLD is called a learning disability, and what UK English calls a learning disability is called an intellectual disability. I think that's clearer tbh.

If you have an autism diagnosis, you are disabled. You don't have to call yourself disabled, but you might want to spend some time considering why not. Probably a hefty dose of internalised ableism - which is not your fault, but can be damaging, mostly to yourself. Remember, disabled is not a dirty word, and there are many many different kinds of disability.

(I'm autistic and have eight other diagnoses, all of which could be classed as disabling in their own right. I just say I'm multiply disabled nowadays, it's easier.)

Yes on applications, its online. After sending application the next part of process is a few online tests and they have a form that asks about health ect. Its frustrating to tick a box but have no option to explain so i feel i am at a whim of what their assumptions about it will be.

Is there a box for "other"?

Please don't say that. Autism isn't a learning disability.

Ah so its not bad to disclose after?

It's a neuro pathway difference, whether it's a disability will depend on whether it affects your life negatively. My dd doesn't consider herself disabled

Having been discriminated against for autism in the application process before (yes they directly told me, long story), I wouldn't disclose it at application if you don't need them to change anything about the interview process.
When you get the job, you can disclose it and ask for whatever reasonable adjustments are necessary.

No it isn’t FGS!!!