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Does having Asperger's mean you're classed as Disabled?

Harry

Hello

New member here -

I was diagnosed with Asperger's a few years ago, aged 22 or 23.

I have  a question for you all.

Whilst trying to get a referral to Speech Therapy via Adult Social Care, I was told that having Asperger's is not considered a disability, but a learning difficulty.

What are your views on this?

Parents

  • Well in order to meet the diagnostic criteria for Asperger’s, the likehood is that your symptoms meet the legal definition of disability (mine certainly did):

    Section 6 Equality Act 2010:

    ‘(1)A person (P) has a disability if—
    (a)P has a physical or mental impairment, and
    (b)the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on P's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.’

    As for a learning difficulty, the definition is:

    ‘Difficulties in acquiring knowledge and skills to the normal level expected of those of the same age, especially because of mental disability or cognitive disorder.’

    As Aspies have normal or above average intelligence and don’t usually have learning delays, I would say that describing Asperger’s as a learning difficulty is incorrect. I’ve never personally heard of it being described as a learning difficulty previously.

Reply

  • Well in order to meet the diagnostic criteria for Asperger’s, the likehood is that your symptoms meet the legal definition of disability (mine certainly did):

    Section 6 Equality Act 2010:

    ‘(1)A person (P) has a disability if—
    (a)P has a physical or mental impairment, and
    (b)the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on P's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.’

    As for a learning difficulty, the definition is:

    ‘Difficulties in acquiring knowledge and skills to the normal level expected of those of the same age, especially because of mental disability or cognitive disorder.’

    As Aspies have normal or above average intelligence and don’t usually have learning delays, I would say that describing Asperger’s as a learning difficulty is incorrect. I’ve never personally heard of it being described as a learning difficulty previously.

Children
  • in reply to NAS36609

    Thank you for your response. Neither had I until yesterday when I was told that my referral would not be actioned as their "learning disability nurse" said that "Asperger’s could be considered a learning difficulty but not a learning disability."

    It looks like it's now going to be a case of having to argue with their 'professional' as to what a disability actually is.