Why is autism called a disability?

Question

It usually makes social interaction more difficult as well as behavioral, but something else is always hyped up, whether it is a musical talent, or sheer intelligence.

The smartest person I know is autistic. How is that a disability when qualities are just flipped a little?

Answer 1

We use disabilities or impairments to identify those children with special needs in regards to their education, whether they are social needs, academic needs, speech needs, special physical accommodations, etc.  We need a way of labeling them so we can provide them with the services they need AND to receive the additional funding required to give them the right education.

-S (special ed. teacher)

Answer 2

This person you know may be at the highest end of the spectrum, labeled as Asperger. This person can be book smart and talented but socially off.

Answer 3

You are a victim of our idiotic press and Hollywood.

Autism at its worst is as debilitating as it gets.

It is caused by vaccinations for the most part.

People affected have no special talents- 99%+.That is just a hollywood fantasy.

They will never have  a job.

They will never live on thier own.

They will never marry.

Many will never talk-or type.

Many have debilitating gastrointestinal problems and food allergies.

Many self injure, Head banging, self bitting and hitting are common.

Many can not feel pain correctly.

Many have vision problems.

Many will never be toilet trained.

Some will never love another human being and never interact in a meaningful way with another living thing-ever.

If they wander off they will likely drowned.

Sounds more like a disability now doesn't it.

It's a large spectrum, and some people recover and some do not.

Many are warehoused at taxpayer expense for their entire lives.

I live three miles from such a facility.

Answer 4

"Autism" covers a wide spectrum of abilities and challenges.  Many children on the Autism spectrum need specialized supports in order to achieve success in school, and social situations.

My own child is on the spectrum. She scores "very superior" on many intelligence tests. Yet, in a noisy classroom she can not perform simple math or social interactions. Her brain can not sort out all the stimulation and she becomes overwhelmed.

With supports she will learn and be an exceptional gift to our world. Without them she would be a high-school drop out because it's just impossible for her to learn without support in that enviroment.

Answer 5

A disability by definition means that you are less likely to perform a task or group of tasks within what is considered "normal " standards. Autism takes normal attributes and creates either Macro or Micro responses to them. Most of the time this creates an environment of uneasiness and uncertainty within the human environment. All during our life we are subjected to "normal" standards. Anything that is abnormal is considered a disability or gift. Look at the Rain Man he was shunned by his own brother but then exploited by the same family member when it was to his advantage. You said it yourself when you asked about flipped qualities. Look for the difference between smart and intellectual and you find that the "smarter people(intellectuals)" are usually the least forgiving of others who are gifted or different. In my opinion

Answer 6

Not all with autism have an exceptional talent.  As you pointed out, some with autism are intelligent - genius even.  However, if you can not understand communication (verbal or body language) or handle social settings you are not as capable as a non-autistic peer.

People depend on social interaction to accomplish tasks on a daily basis.  if you do not pick up on these things, your interactions are not as fulfilling as others.  People with autism often feel alone in the world and confused as why this occurs.  

Furthermore, please understand that there are different levels of severity and co-existing conditions.  No two people with autism are exactly the same.  Some are easily taught basic social skills and can manage the adult world but may seem a  little odd.  Others are extremely sensitive to noises, smells, touch and must take many steps prior to even going to the grocery store.  

Meet more people with autism and you will see why it is a legitimate disability, with many different levels of severity.

Answer 7

a disability doesnt mean they are retarded.

dont they have trouble speaking?

being unable to speak doesnt mean inability to think....

Answer 8

disability is something which inhibits interaction with the environment - this can be physical, mental, emotional or psychological.

Not everyone with autism has hyped up qualities - they are normally the ones you hear about on the discovery channel, rain Man etc.  Many individuals with autism are extremely isolated and display very little ability at all.

You are lucky to know someone with this presentation of autism but it is not the same for everyone.  Aspergers is an autistic condition on the highre end of the spectrum where someone is usually very intellectually advanced but socially delayed.   At the other end you have people who are very low functioning who are unable to communicate at all, incapable to toilet training, do not interact at all.  It is very sad.

It is unfortunate that people are labelled  'disabled' ,   'incapacitated'   or  'impaired' but that is often how the state determines benefits etc.

Answer 9

1st of all-not all people with autism have special abilities-

Many have profound difficulties in all areas of life

autism is a disability-but the level of disabiility various as well as the level of services they are eligible for

just like cerebral palsy-

a person can be totally depended on services-or only get limited services such as vocational rehab-or just a handicap parkign placard--or no services at all

Answer 10

Not all autistics have savant abilties.  I did a little, but that was a great exception to the rule and a very unfortunate stereotype.  66% of people diagnosed with Autism have some form of mental retardation, and more than 80% of those who don't have no special skills or talents.  

The disability part comes when a person is trying to relate to others.  This causes emotional friction because most autistic people are not able to react to others emotions.  If they try, they usually come off as robotic and insincere.

Answer 11

I know a 10 year old with Autism she cannot talk or use the toilet no matter how hard you try to teach her she would rather play with the cardboard box than the toy. Just because Autism can give a heightened sense doesn't mean it's not a disability. Asking why Autism is a Disability is just like asking why being blind is a disability that heightens the other senses too. Think about it!