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Original poster

Whats Autism classed as?

97 replies

Hopinghonestly · 27/08/2023 20:36

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.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hopinghonestly · 27/08/2023 21:00

drawingmaps · 27/08/2023 20:56

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.)

This is the problem i dont fit neatly. I am losing out on loads of jobs due to it.

Work load and ability i am great..its my social issues :( and all jobs are adamant that even working remotely they all want a bloody social butterfly and team player....

OP posts:
anotheranotheranotheranother · 27/08/2023 21:01

gogomoto · 27/08/2023 20:58

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

If you meet the criteria for autism diagnosis you also meet the definition of disabled, regardless of how you view yourself.

Original poster
Hopinghonestly · 27/08/2023 21:01

almostoverthehill · 27/08/2023 20:59

No it isn’t FGS!!!

Isnt which one??

OP posts:
gogomoto · 27/08/2023 21:02

@anotheranotheranotheranother my dd is adamant that she isn't disabled, she's just wired differently and it's a normal variation in humans. Disability implies you need fixing

Astromelia · 27/08/2023 21:03

Ugh that is very unhelpful, they really should give space for you to explain properly.
Try searching the list for the following terms.

Neurodevelopmental condition
Social communication disorder
ASD/ASC/Asperger syndrome

Ant of them would be close enough. If not, I guess put LD or mental health but as you say, neither is precisely true. You can explain at interview I guess!

drawingmaps · 27/08/2023 21:03

gogomoto · 27/08/2023 21:02

@anotheranotheranotheranother my dd is adamant that she isn't disabled, she's just wired differently and it's a normal variation in humans. Disability implies you need fixing

No, disability does not imply you need fixing. I reckon your DD has learned to see disability as a bad thing, when it's not. It's neutral.

almostoverthehill · 27/08/2023 21:04

Sorry someone further up suggested learning disability, which it certainly isn’t

drawingmaps · 27/08/2023 21:04

And all disability is "normal variation in humans". Disabled people, including your DD, are not "abnormal" ffs

anotheranotheranotheranother · 27/08/2023 21:05

gogomoto · 27/08/2023 21:02

@anotheranotheranotheranother my dd is adamant that she isn't disabled, she's just wired differently and it's a normal variation in humans. Disability implies you need fixing

She can be as adamant as she wants but if she had an autism diagnosis she also meets the legal definition of disabled. It can be really helpful for autistic people, particularly when they are trying to access support. I hope your DD realised this one day.

Original poster
Hopinghonestly · 27/08/2023 21:05

almostoverthehill · 27/08/2023 21:04

Sorry someone further up suggested learning disability, which it certainly isn’t

Ah yes...learning is actually only strong point 🤣😂

OP posts:
Ponderingwindow · 27/08/2023 21:06

Autism is not a learning disability. Plenty of people with autism have high iq and excel in academics.

Elmo230885 · 27/08/2023 21:13

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition.
It can have co-morbid conditions such as various mental health conditions, learning difficulties or a learning disability but Autism in itself isn't these things.

GCautist · 27/08/2023 21:14

It is often listed under developmental disability or social communication disorder ( I have issues with the latter)

It is NOT a learning disability but it can exist alongside a learning disability and often the two are conflated. Autism can also exist alongside almost every other illness and disability.

To the PP who said disabilities need fixed, go educate yourself and your daughter. Disability is not a bad thing and we need to stop that stream of thought. It can be difficult to live with, in the case of autism, its often more difficult for the neurotypical people than the autistic person. Disabled people aren't broken and for the most part we aren't suffering disability. Nothing needs fixed except attitudes like that.

And a quick lesson in the neurodiverse/ neurodivergent and neurotypical labels. We are all, every human neurodiverse, that relates to diversity in our neurotypes - as no two people are the same we are all neurodiverse. Autism, ADHD, Dyspraxia etc comes under the label neurodivergent and non Autism, adhd etc is neurotypical. Neurotypical doesn't rule out other disabilities or mental ill health. Some people include mental ill health in neurodivergent while others only include the most severe and others dont include it at all. It's easy to see why it gets confusing but its important to read up on and learn the terminology to allow you to self advocate and protect yourself from discrimination.

As for declaring in job applications, thats a hard one and a personal one. It can be detrimental or it can help. Without declaring you will not have the protection of the equality act unless your disability is so obvious there is no need to ask about it but declaring can result in unscrupulous or ignorant employers excluding you. Its such a difficult situation.

LittleMrsPretty · 27/08/2023 21:17

employers can’t discriminate against ASD

Bramblecrumble22 · 27/08/2023 21:35

So I wouldn't tick either of those boxes then. Whatever you disclose on the form about disability and health is confidential and your colleagues wouldn't be told, or it would be need to know. So ensuring autism is on the form will unlikely forwarn your colleagues. You could mention it in a personal statement section, possibly how seeking a diagnosis has been about self reflection and growth. Highlight the areas you are strong at and how the diagnosis sets you apart and what strategies you have in place for difficulties.

If there are any adjustments in the recruitment process that they could do, that would be a reason to tick it on the application form.

Also, I see I've annoyed people with the learning disability comment. By saying technically I meant I don't agree, but and suggested social disability but just disability is better.

Bramblecrumble22 · 27/08/2023 21:36

Edited

Gnomegnomegnome · 27/08/2023 21:41

What options do you have to choose from?

Sugarcoatt · 27/08/2023 21:49

It’s not a learning disability. There are autistic people with PhDs who are way smarter than average. It’s not a mental illness either. A developmental disability is probably the most accurate description.

drawingmaps · 27/08/2023 21:57

LittleMrsPretty · 27/08/2023 21:17

employers can’t discriminate against ASD

oh but they do

LittleMrsPretty · 27/08/2023 21:59

@drawingmaps

I know they do but if they are an employer that does they will discriminate at interview as well so may as well delay telling them until after job offer.

Icycloud · 27/08/2023 22:00

I feel like it it includes learning disabilities like gullibility

FasciaDreams · 27/08/2023 22:01

ND here. You don't have to disclose unless you need reasonable adjustments.
I wouldn't anyway, not until after you get the job and you can always disclose after.

drawingmaps · 27/08/2023 22:01

LittleMrsPretty · 27/08/2023 21:59

@drawingmaps

I know they do but if they are an employer that does they will discriminate at interview as well so may as well delay telling them until after job offer.

True

Sugarcoatt · 27/08/2023 22:18

Icycloud · 27/08/2023 22:00

I feel like it it includes learning disabilities like gullibility

Being gullible isn’t a learning disability fgs. A learning disability is low intelligence.

Icycloud · 27/08/2023 22:22

Sugarcoatt · 27/08/2023 22:18

Being gullible isn’t a learning disability fgs. A learning disability is low intelligence.

Show quote history

I’m autistic. Autistic people have low intelligence in various areas like road safety and high intelligence in others it’s a spectrum and depends on the person but they do have low intelligence in areas