Why is Autism considerd a disorder?

i may have been asked already, but why is Autism considerd a disorder / condition? to me at least, a disorder, is something to do with mental health. instead of a disorder / condition, its an advantage because we're able to see and expereince things that other cannot

Parents
  • I understand that an autism diagnosis is only given when a person is considered to be disabled by their autistic traits, so I looked up the definition of disabled.

    A disability according to the UK equality act is an impairment that has a long term adverse effect on your ability to do normal day to day activities. It doesn't have to stop you doing things completely, just makes them harder - for example if someone cannot go to the shops alone or has problems socialising. 

    People who have type 1 insulin dependent diabetes are considered disabled, because they cannot live healthy lives without insulin. Modern society doesn't make them disabled. But I feel that most of the disability experienced by autistic people is caused by society disabling them.

    For example:

    Sensory issues - would these be a problem if we lived in a more primitive way amongst the sounds of nature? With clothes made from soft cotton or furs and no stitched on tags?

    Trouble socialising - would that exist if we lived in extended family groups or tribes where we felt secure and could contribute with our specialist skills - maybe pottery making or animal tracking?

    Trouble with executive function - is that due to the stresses of modern society and having to remember so much stuff like passwords?

    Trouble going to the shops alone - in a primitive society there were no shops and everyone went to places in groups for security.

    Any other ideas?

  • I think if over 50% of the population were autistic, then being neurotypical would be the disorder, because we would be living in the world that suits us: quiet, ordered, structured, direct communication. Having to live up to neurotypical expectations disables us. Living in a neurodiverse world would enable us. Just my take on it. 

  • It would be so interesting to actually test this out. Would they have the adaptability to accept that world? Would they just accept that as the norm because that's how their brains are wired. Or would they struggle in the way many of us do?

    Although having said that, not all neurodiverse people would enjoy that world. Quiet would be ADHD hell, ordered would be PDA hell. Not as simple as we would like it to be sometimes I don't think.

  • I'm interested as to why you think it's potentially unethical?

    If a big brother house was set up to be autism friendly and they then asked for both autistic and neurotypical volunteers to take part, I don't see a problem?

    I think it would be a good idea for nobody to know who is autistic and who isn't. And there are accommodations and rules to keep the sensory input low, like everyone having their own bedroom and everyone must wear headphones to listen to music.

  • It really would be fascinating. But potentially not very ethical Joy

Reply Children
  • I'm interested as to why you think it's potentially unethical?

    If a big brother house was set up to be autism friendly and they then asked for both autistic and neurotypical volunteers to take part, I don't see a problem?

    I think it would be a good idea for nobody to know who is autistic and who isn't. And there are accommodations and rules to keep the sensory input low, like everyone having their own bedroom and everyone must wear headphones to listen to music.