My son has just told me he has been turned down from joining the TA because he has Aspergers, surely this isn't legal?
Parents
Former Member
It may not be legal but they may consider that someone with Aspergers may
1) not be very good at following orders that they don't agree with or don't understand. Disrespect for authority is a common issue for us.
2) any communication issues that someone may have may be catastrophic in a combat situation or any other forces situation. Good communication skills can be a matter of liefe and death in the forces.
3) Battlefield situations are highly stressful. Would he respond well to stress or would he find this difficult.
4) Bullying is rife in the forces. People with Aspergers are likely to attract bullies because we stand out as different.
There may be roles in the forces that aome people with Aspergers can cope with. Did they do a proper assessment of him or did they simply just see the A word and say no? I'm not sure where someone would stand in asking for Equality Act Reasonable Adjustments in the forces - different rules apply there and I am not sure what reasonable adjustments could sensibly be made for the issues I have identified. Sometimes these rules are for the individual's benefit - they may be covering their own backs but they also be protecting him from some very predictable issues.
It may not be legal but they may consider that someone with Aspergers may
1) not be very good at following orders that they don't agree with or don't understand. Disrespect for authority is a common issue for us.
2) any communication issues that someone may have may be catastrophic in a combat situation or any other forces situation. Good communication skills can be a matter of liefe and death in the forces.
3) Battlefield situations are highly stressful. Would he respond well to stress or would he find this difficult.
4) Bullying is rife in the forces. People with Aspergers are likely to attract bullies because we stand out as different.
There may be roles in the forces that aome people with Aspergers can cope with. Did they do a proper assessment of him or did they simply just see the A word and say no? I'm not sure where someone would stand in asking for Equality Act Reasonable Adjustments in the forces - different rules apply there and I am not sure what reasonable adjustments could sensibly be made for the issues I have identified. Sometimes these rules are for the individual's benefit - they may be covering their own backs but they also be protecting him from some very predictable issues.
