Is autism a disability?

Joe said:

Also Autism is listed under A5 here:

It is thanks, but see A4 above, where it is once again qualified:

A4. Whether a person is disabled for the purposes of the Act is generally determined by reference to the effect that an impairment has on that person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

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. 

Thanks.

According to that definition then, I probably wouldn't be classed as disabled as I do those things, but they cause me stress.

It's a very grey area I think.

There are however some things I don't do because they would just be too much.

I think it probably comes down the quote above 'the effect that an impairment has on that person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities'.

With regard to my council providing a disabled person's card for discounts, as we are on a spectrum, I assume it was simpler just to allow all autistic people to have one ie not to make a distinction with regard to impairment.

However, perhaps for something more financially valuable, you would need to show proof of:

'the effect that an impairment has on that person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities'.

Perhaps, by showing receipt of a financial benefit from the government?

Maybe then *we are sometimes classed as disabled and sometimes not (for different purposes). 

*Also, is the 'we' here those who have been given a level 1 or a 'high functioning' label?

I think the whole benefits system in place for disabilities is a complete minefield anyway, even if you have a clearly labelled disability rather than autism or mental health which definitely are grey areas. So it makes sense that a disability card that has no monetary value would be a lot easier to obtain. Though they wanted my doctors address, phone number and I had to tick a box that said I was happy for them to contact them - so  I’m not very hopeful of getting one. 

But going back to the benefits for disabilities, the whole thing completely confuses me. I’ve seen a few posts lately where members have said if you don’t want to work, then don’t. It’s not really that simple though is it. I have struggled my entire life both working for others and myself. I’ve never even thought of trying to get help financially because I’m pretty certain I wouldn’t be able to word or show how much my entire life is affected.  It’s not a matter of just not wanting to work. I don’t even think I relayed everything in my assessment as although I talked far too much, I can never get my head in order and say the correct thing at the right time. So although my diagnosis says I scored highly in most areas, I feel it doesn’t include the real issues that I struggle with every single day, more it covers areas that I have removed myself from. 

quote: 'I’ve seen a few posts lately where members have said if you don’t want to work, then don’t. It's not really that simple though is it...'

The members you mention here have not even remotely suggested that not working is at all simple. I think they are probably acutely aware of the complexities of managing finances whilst disabled! 

quote: 'I’ve seen a few posts lately where members have said if you don’t want to work, then don’t. It's not really that simple though is it...'

The members you mention here have not even remotely suggested that not working is at all simple. I think they are probably acutely aware of the complexities of managing finances whilst disabled! 

I haven’t mentioned any members, or specific threads so I’m not sure how you would know what they were suggesting… And unfortunately no, it didn’t come across that way at all.