Do you consider autism a disease ?

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Not in the slightest. We were discussing us, and the reaction to the word... so it may have seemed like I was focusing on us, but only because that is the focus of the conversation

I posit that the definitions of individual diseases change as our understanding of the diseases grow. That, however, does not change the basic definition of the word disease.

This question is not you ask whether it is it or not but to ask whether or not you think it should be a disease?

I think Disease is a condescending term and should be used for only things that can cause direct death. Like cancer. something that is usually treated for years in a hospital.

But then again it depends on how you use the word as disease in terms with autism if you use it purely for sympathy or for bullying it's not okay.

It's like when they say girls have cooties from kids were younger.

so considering this what do you think do you think it's a disease what I mean is do you think it should be a disease what should it be a disorder or something else?

How do you think it should be treated? Like someone with cancer? Like someone with congenial heart disease?

Or some other way please describe.

Which does not change the fact that the basic definition is too broad and subject to different interpretations depending on cultural factors. When the definition of normal functioning becomes clear (I do not think it will ever be), the definition of disease will be just as precise. Until then, people will keep debating whether condition X is a disease or not.

Except that has nothing to do with the definition of disease... There is nothing in the definition of disease that implies death or debilitation...

And again... I disagree with you. Having an opinion that runs counter to definitions, does not change the definitions.

We know what normal function is... There are tests for every aspect of normal function.

If it can be diagnosed, it is a disease.

But I am tapping out of this conversation... I have more productive things to do and I am shooting on my series tomorrow...

No, I think you are the only one who knows what is normal function. You should do us a favor and write a book on it or something, since you are so incredibly knowledgeable and above minor setbacks like cultural and social changes.

And by your definition, homosexuality should still be a disease. Hell, anything could be said to be a disease, as long as some official organization decides to categorize traits as symptoms and give them a catchy name. Here, I will try something:

Mad scientist disorder (ICD-11 999.0)
Patient shows at least two of the following symptoms:
- unusual interest in natural sciences, engineering or both;
- well-developed (beyond their peers) academic skills from an early age, sometimes at the expense of non scientific subjects;
- revolutionary ideas beyond contemporary scientific or technological knowledge.

I just diagnosed Nikola Tesla, Albert Einstein and pretty much every famous scientist or inventor who ever lived! None of those traits are usually found in the general population, which means they are not normal. If any of those symptoms are intense enough, they could impair normal functioning, specially regarding socialization. Therefore, mad scientist syndrome is a disease!

Good luck with your series. And good riddance.

Disorder, disease

It's just semantics.

I may be ignorant about this but this is something I have never read an Autism specialist write or say. It might be something they don't talk about, or they do not think of it is as disease, I do not know.

The larger question is should we be non-literal or non medical due to the colloquial definition of the term "disease" as infectious?

I tried to describe in another WP post; if there are 300+ different gene mutations that can cause ASC, then it has to confer something useful at least some of the time.

I would have to say though, if there are 300+ mutations for ASC, perhaps that could explain the spectrum thing. Cross two different mutated genes and the results could concentrate the effect. Something for someone who is in the field of genetics to research to understand better than me.

I don't consider anybody's autism to be a disease or an illness.

And THIS is why I tapped out of the conversation.

You didn't diagnose anyone, as mental illness diagnoses require interaction with the patient, and (last I checked) they are dead.

This topic does not seem to be able to be discussed rationally in any forum. I disagree with you... THAT is my RIGHT. You got insulting, condescending and basically attack me for my stance.

I am not sure why you feel the need to address me with such disrespect when I have discussed this with you calmly and cordially, but I don't appreciate it. I tapped out, hoping to prevent this very thing from occurring... However, your parting shots do need to be addressed... Simply put... you are not rid of me... there is no riddance enacted or to be had. I simply do not wish to engage in conversation that is so emotionally charged that it requires modification of language and definitions to accommodate people's opinions on a subject.

I don't know why you feel the need to be rude, condescending, snarky and insulting... but I don't have time for people like that in my life... I wish you well...

You bring up a good point... if you wish to discuss in private messages, feel free to send me one... The tone of this thread has turned hostile, rude and toxic... like every thread on this topic... and I don't have the time, energy or inclination to deal with that

I did not intend to be disrespectful at first; if that is how I came across, I apologize. Just like it is your right to disagree with me, it is my right to defend my position. Forums are meant for discussion, after all. I am sorry if my defense seemed rude, because it was not supposed to be so.

However, by the time you replied to my second answer, you basically stated that I was wasting your time; a particularly rude dismissal, considering how you were the one who started the conversation with me to begin with. For that reason, my third reply was intentionally snarky. If I misunderstood your intent with your farewell post, I apologize for my aforementioned last reply, too.

Yes, it's a disease. The term disease breaks down into at least three categories.

1. Germ based, like chicken pox, mumps, measles, etc.
2. Chronic conditions, like arthritis, COPD, most heart problems, etc. that develop during the course of one's life.
3. Life-long conditions one has at birth or acquires shortly afterward.

Autism spectrum conditions are diseases in the third category. They are life-long conditions, that have a definite effect on the person with the condition, often a disabling effect.

All of these conditions are caused by either germs, or biochemical situations, so all of these fit into the term "disease." Having a body part lost or damaged can be disabling, but is not itself a disease, so that does not fit into the term "disease", although a disease may be the cause of the loss, like an amputation due to bone cancer. The cancer is a disease, and causes the loss, but living without the limb is a non-disease disability, just as if the limb were lost in a car accident.

With autism spectrum conditions, some of us are better able to cope and adapt than others. For those who are able to do so, autism is more a condition disease. It's there, and has to be dealt with, but doesn't mess up their lives too much. For those who are not so good at dealing with the normal world, autism is more of a disabling disease.

I am somewhere in between. I was able to deal with the normal world, with great difficulty for many years, until my other health issues added too many other problems to the mix. Now I am not able to work, but I am usually able to have the solitude I prefer. Fortunately, I am still able to deal with people when I occasionally run errands. I will never be great at it, but I manage.

My answer is despite our natural tendency to be literal it would not be a good idea. In addition to whatever Autism Advocacy going on to change the public idea of of Autism we would have to launch a campaign to completely revert the the public's idea (including many Autistics if you go by this and similar threads and blogs) of a diseased person.