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Is autism a disability?

Deleted user
over 1 year ago

My council had autism on the application form and didn't specify it had to be a certain level in order to be registered disabled with them.

This site refers to autism as a developmental disability:

www.autism.org.uk/.../what-is-autism

This link regarding discrimination throws autism being classed generally (ie unqualified) as a disability into doubt.

I find this rather confusing:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/check-if-youre-protected-from-discrimination/what-counts-as-disability/

'The definition is set out in section 6 of the Equality Act 2010. It says you’re disabled if:

  • you have a physical or mental impairment
  • that impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities'

Is it a variable thing then according to what you are trying use the disability definition to achieve?

Is this because we are on a spectrum with varying degrees of functionality?

Parents
  • over 1 year ago

    Thanks for the replies so far.

    I think I need to clarify that I'm looking for an 'official' answer.

    This I think is where the problem lies.

    So, according to my council, I'm disabled but according to discrimination legislation, I'm not.

    I wish it was black and white - either I (we) am officially classed as disabled because of autism or I'm not.

    I do, however, realise it's complicated as, for example, physical impairment would be required for benefits and a blue badge for parking ...

  • over 1 year ago in reply to Deleted user

    Debbie did you see the examples on the citizens advice link? 

    I guess I kind of take it that they mean just having an autism diagnosis isn’t seen as a disability, but if the diagnosis means you have an impairment, then it does. 

    ‘

    Example

    Ahmed is autistic. He finds the world overwhelming and this causes him considerable anxiety. He also has difficulty communicating and interacting with other people.

    Ahmed doesn’t think he’s disabled as he’s not physically impaired. However, he has an impairment because the effect of his condition means he can't do some day-to-day activities - like going to the shops alone and socialising.

Reply
  • over 1 year ago in reply to Deleted user

    Debbie did you see the examples on the citizens advice link? 

    I guess I kind of take it that they mean just having an autism diagnosis isn’t seen as a disability, but if the diagnosis means you have an impairment, then it does. 

    ‘

    Example

    Ahmed is autistic. He finds the world overwhelming and this causes him considerable anxiety. He also has difficulty communicating and interacting with other people.

    Ahmed doesn’t think he’s disabled as he’s not physically impaired. However, he has an impairment because the effect of his condition means he can't do some day-to-day activities - like going to the shops alone and socialising.

Children
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