Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s ability to learn, communicate, and interact with others.
In the United States, 1 in 44 children has autism. Although autism often begins by age 2, it can be diagnosed at any time in life, including adulthood.
From a medical and legal perspective, autism is a disability, but mental health professionals say not everyone with autism identifies as disabled.
Here we look at autism as a disability from medical, legal and self-perception perspectives.
What is Autism?
Autism is a group of neurological and developmental disorders that often begin in childhood and vary in type and severity.
There are no medical tests, such as blood tests or imaging studies, that can help experts diagnose autism. Instead, doctors look at a patient’s behavior and development.
A doctor will make a diagnosis if your symptoms meet certain criteria.
To understand the different perspectives on autism, it helps to know the difference between “disability” and “impairment.”
A disorder is a health condition that affects the normal functioning of the mind or body. Specifically, mental disorders involve cognitive, emotional and behavioral problems.
From a medical perspective, autism is a mental disorder because of the neurological, psychological, and social impacts it has on a person’s life, says Keischa Pruden, LCMHCS, LCAS, CCS, psychotherapist and founder of Pruden Counseling Concepts.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a disability is “a physical or mental condition that makes it difficult for someone to do certain activities or interact with the world around them.”
Autism is considered a disorder because its symptoms can make it difficult for an individual to conform to neurotypical norms.
Is autism a medical disorder?
“Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that is caused by differences in how the brain develops,” explains Matthew Edelstein, PsyD, BCBA-D, a psychologist at Choosing Therapy. Typically, this results in learning and developmental delays.
Typically, people with autism experience the following symptoms:
Difficulties in social communication and interaction; restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests; delays in language, motor skills, cognitive or learning skills; attention problems
For people with autism, these characteristics can make it difficult to interact at school, work, and other social settings. As a result, it is considered a medical disorder.
It is important to note that autism characteristics vary depending on the type and severity. Symptoms can vary.
The degree of disability depends on the type and severity of these symptoms.
From a legal perspective, autism is classified as a disability.
This means that people with autism are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which is a law, not a program, meaning they do not have to apply for coverage or benefits.
Sharon Kay O’Connor, LCSW, a psychotherapist at Chausing Therapy, explains that people with autism are legally entitled to a range of benefits, including reasonable accommodations at school and in the workplace.
According to Kaye-O’Connor and Pruden, accommodations will include:
Sensory support (e.g., hearing trainer), environmental modifications (e.g., small class sizes), location flexibility (e.g., telecommuting), schedule modifications, and one-on-one instruction outside of class
Some people may even be eligible for disability benefits, depending on the support they need, which could include Social Security, Medicaid and caregiver support, Kay O’Connor said.
From a medical and legal perspective, autism is considered a disability. But that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to self-identification.
In other words, some people with autism perceive themselves as disabled, while others do not. This can depend on a number of factors.
The level of support you need
Pruden said people who need many types of support may self-identify as disabled.
In contrast, there are others who “may not need as much support.” [and] “They don’t see themselves as disabled,” Pruden said.
environment
The environment a person finds themselves in can also influence whether they identify as disabled. Kay O’Connor explains, “Our environment can play a big role in determining whether we are comfortable and able to thrive.”
For example, some may identify with the social model of disability. According to Kay O’Connor, they may also feel that their difficulties stem from living in an environment that is not designed with neurodiverse needs in mind.
Changing social outlook
Attitudes around neurodiversity and autism are changing, with more children and adults, as Pruden points out, seeing autism as a superpower rather than a limitation.
These people “selflessly advocate for themselves and others to be seen as competent and accepted, despite their autism,” Pruden said.
“Every person with autism is unique and has the freedom to identify themselves in the way that works best for them,” Edelstein adds. For example, “many high-functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prefer to identify themselves with their personal strengths rather than their weaknesses.”
Again, paying attention to your language can help support this more positive perspective.
“Neurodiversity” refers to a range of neurological differences. “Neurodivergence” refers to neurological characteristics that differ from those considered typical or neurotypical.
If your child has an autism spectrum disorder, it is important to discuss their neurodiversity with them so they understand their needs in different environments and feel supported, accepted and cared for.
Pruden believes in being honest when talking about your child’s neurodevelopmental disorder, and she suggests sharing the information in a way that’s appropriate for the child’s age and development.
For older children, neurodevelopmental disorders can be explained in terms of computer “operating systems,” such as Windows or MacOS.
Kaye-O’Connor explains: “Neither operating system is wrong; they just work differently. Just like there are different types of computer operating systems, there are different types of brains. Each type of brain has its own strengths, challenges, and needs.”
Explained in this way, autism can be seen as a different way of functioning, rather than a “problem.”
People with autism are eligible for a variety of disability benefits from the U.S. government. These benefits are available at the state and federal levels.
State benefits for autism
Edelstein said many states offer Medicaid waivers, which are programs for people with developmental disabilities.
Specific benefits vary by state, but often include the following:
Financial assistanceAccess to careTransportationHome support
You can usually find these resources on your state health agency’s website.
Federal Autism Benefits
Edelstein said people with autism can receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a federal benefits program for low-income people with disabilities, regardless of age.
Adults who have worked in the past may also be able to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
You can apply for SSI and SSDI on each program’s website.
Autism is considered a disability from both a medical and legal perspective. From these perspectives, it is a condition that makes it difficult for a person to interact with their environment. As such, people with autism are entitled to a range of disability benefits.
However, not everyone with an autism spectrum disorder identifies themselves as disabled. An individual’s self-perception depends on many factors, including the extent of their limitations and the level of support they need.
It’s important to be careful when talking about autism or any other health condition: identifying someone on the autism spectrum as disabled doesn’t mean they need to be “cured.”
If you or a loved one has autism, mental health professionals can help you navigate the symptoms.