Diagnosis disadvantages

Hi! Have you had any more luck finding out details on legal discrimination in the UK when autistic? I am very interested and would like more information myself, before going ahead with my formal assessment (which i am already on a waiting list for).

Absolutely, we need to discuss this honestly.  And for some the disadvantages outweigh the advantages and each must make their own choice.

People can be self-identified and welcomed to this forum.  We respect that not everyone wants to go through the stress of an assessment and self-identification is usually right and valid.

Stigma remains a real problem for many.  Whereas for many older adults the diagnosis is liberating and validating, I have also spoken with younger autistic people who wished they had never been diagnosed.  They feel their life would have been 'normal' without the label.  It wouldn't, of course, because they are still autistic in a world that isn't exactly autism friendly, but I get where they are coming from in as much as some of their problems can be caused by other people's limiting or prejudicial attitude toward them because they are aware of their diagnosis.

Identification as autistic will have nothing but advantages the day the whole of society has an attitude which says:  "OK, so your brain works differently and you need to do stuff differently.  Cool, how can we help?"  Sadly, we're a long way from there.

Thank you all for your responses! To clarify I am aware of many advantages, my favourite being the autistic community that you all illustrate! The most obvious disadvantage I was aware of was stigma and discrimination which is mentioned on the NAS site, so I was surprised to learn that there were also more legal implications such as around where you cannot emigrate to. I found some 10 yr old threads here, but was after more up to date info as laws obviously change. Maybe this hasn't really been done because the advantages and disadvantages vary from person to person depending on needs and circumstances, but surely we deserve an honest discussion around all the implications of a diagnosis. 

The UK has been mentioned in external forums linking to articles, but to clarify again I haven't seen anything that definitively says autistic people aren't allowed, although again I have interpreted it as a layperson that it depends on what your support needs are and whether you would be able to support yourself (and possibly pay for private health care). 

Apologies if I alarmed anyone, again I'm keen to find the facts out to prevent causing accidental alarm!. I also appreciate the experiences you've shared.

Autistic spectrum condition (ASC) and driving - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You only need to disclose to the DVLA if autism affects your ability to drive safely.  Many autistic people can and do make good drivers and if that's you then there is nothing you need to do, you can go on driving.

However, for some visual/spatial perception and co-ordination are badly affected and this may preclude driving.  Some fool of an examiner gave me a licence in my teens.  I soon figured out for myself that I was not safe out there.  Objects, especially moving ones, were never quite where I thought they were.  I took myself off the road and kept the licence only as a piece of handy ID for decades.  I thought my issues were just because I am dyslexic.  Once my autism was diagnosed I figured out that that was the reason I can't drive and voluntarily surrendered my licence.  This has been an advantage to me though as the council then gave me a disabled person's bus pass.  It's been the only "support" I've had out of anyone, lol.

oh wow... canada is like that? .... canada usually is the most virtue signalling nation that claims to be most accepting too lol

Wow, talk about discrimination! This is not OK!

I believe autism has to be disclosed for travel insurance, autistic people have a much higher suicide rate so it’s an easy way to make the premium higher.  
Australia and Canada are amongst quite a few countries who don’t allow immigration of autistic people. A different reason is often given.

The Canada Immigration Act requires this country to reject applications for immigration from persons with any “disease, disorder, disability or other health impairment”

not sure about the traveling one...

but the dvla one might be right as the dvla require you to tell them about any issue like that... but autism they likely wouldnt care too much about, they would just want to check if it affects your concentration too much. 

the only downside i could think of is that your boss if you have one may hold you back from promotion thinking its beyond anyone with any diagnosis... you will be patronised, and looked down on like that. they will keep you employed at the lowest level though, keeping your employed to make out they are equal opportunities and oh so good a employer, you will be their token... but yet they will never promote you or take you seriously. and they will likely not trust you as much.

obviously that goes on to say any diagnosis will always be used against you if anything happens... court case for any reason? they will use your diagnosis against you to claim your incapable and whatever your in for is your fault 

Thanks Joe.

It doesn't need to be disclosed to the DVLA unless it affects your ability to drive safely. Link is here - www.gov.uk/asc-and-driving

I would share your surprise if the OP's stated understanding is correct - although weird nonsense rules seem to ever proliferate....so I'll be interested to hear.  I suspect Peter will know.

What?!! Where did you find the UK won't accept immigrants with autism? I am not sure if this is true, and if it is I am hugely offended yet again by my country! As a physically disabled person I already feel like an inconvenience begrudgingly allowed to exist, but now they have another reason to want rid of me!

And I didn't think it had to be disclosed to the DVLA either? It seems mad as a person is not any different with or without an actual diagnosis.

You are welcome, Number. I thi k it's always important to consider all eventualities to an issue

Yes. Absolutely.  I'm interested to see a list of practical and tangible setbacks to having a formal "autism" stamp on one's "file"/"medical record".....who wouldn't want to know!  Knowledge is power.

The thing that interests me is how one arrives at that specific question - ie to see a list of the setbacks - as one's first foray/post onto these pages.

I mean no implied incredulity nor criticism of 91091 with my post above because their question is wholly reasonable and sensible.

Apologies if my curiosity comes over as rude....that is never my intention....thanks for asking for my clarification Nexus.

If there are disadvantages as well as advantages these should be known, don't you think? I didn't know some countries could ban you from emigration to them if you have had a positive diagnosis, for example. 

What an interesting way to look at it?  Just wanting a list of disadvantages?  Do you already have a list of advantages?  Are you thinking you "should" get a diagnosis....but are then scared of  what that might bring?  Obviously, no requirement to answer these queries....but I am genuinely intrigued.  I have read many dozens of threads in this place on the dis/adv of diagnosis, but never one that asks for just negatives.

Regards

Number.