Is autism a psychological or medical condition or both?

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Greetings. I have wondered if autism is considered a medical condition or psychological condition or both. Sadly, our society seems to only deem physical conditions as medical most of the time. But every time I see a form at school that asks if you have any medical conditions, I wonder if I need to put autism there or not because I'm unsure what to define it as. At my school, it's fine that I tell teachers I have autism because I have an IEP, and the IEP states I have autism, so they are going to find out no matter what. Students, I wouldn't dare to tell directly except my close friends, which I have already done. But when a teacher asks any medical conditions on a form they should know about (example allergies), should I write autism? Even for university applications, I'm going to apply at the disability services, and they ask if you have a mental and medical condition and I wonder what to put autism under. The last (though really bad) psychiatrist I saw for one assessment (that wasn't an assessment) said that it could be considered both and put it under both sections. But I don't want to put two different sections with the same condition, you know? So my question is, what condition(s) is autism? Should I treat it as medical and write it on forms (not for work, but for schooling)?

Neither. Its a cognitive difference that has the ability to produce significant disability, but doesn't have to. It's included under the Disabilties Act. So you can get supports for it. Many autistic people have medical conditions like IBS in addition to autism and many have mental health problems like OCD in addition. But in itself, Autism is only a cognitive condition. Its included in the DSM, so the phrase "cognitive impairement" does apply. I don't prefer this language, but it does exist. The DSM defines autism entirely by its deficits, which makes sense since its primarily a book that is used to define who needs what kind of help.

Greetings. On this site about this topic, it lists autism and Asperger's Syndrome under two different categories: autism under learning disorders and Asperger's as a brain & nervous system [problem]. This makes me confused.

http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/medical/

So, my question to you: if there was a form that asked for any medical conditions, would you put autism down or not if there was no stigma or anything attached to it and people wouldn't judge you for it?

No, Offence, but you sound ignorant right now. Like seriously. Though most people tend to research alot on the subject before stumbling on to Autism. Autism is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder.

Okay, If you tell people your Autistic you have to be Prepared to get judged. I personally Like to do it for the Hell of it. I mean why not be open about it then let people not be Judgemental. I personally think it is the only way.. How do you expect to have awareness, any other way... Hey, People are Ableist, but hey there's nothing you can do about it. Autism Speaks is definitely not helping it. The School literally tells me "I'm to smart for a IEP" When by very nature a IEP means Individualized Education Plan, It doesn't matter if I get good grades, by being a disabled individual it is my right, by Law. I know my rights. I guess I'm to smart for the school system so they have failed me. If you don't have a Average (85-115) IQ then screw you. If you don't fit the mold as a worker bee than guess what your kinda screwed.. Though, Again... If I adapt to survive, Well your going to have tot oo. Your either going to have to pass/fake it or just get to a point where you really don't give a f**k, what people think. Though I Wouldn't recommend putting autistic on their. Most people think Autistic means idiot these days. My Point of view is a very twisted view. My World isn't so happy. I see the world as a cold and cruel place... Despite my school's "Anti Bullying" Polices how do they stop people from bullying you. If you don't like that, Well to bad. I don't recommend faking it, It can have bad effects. They give you IEP Diploma not a real diploma so you might have some problems Applying if you're not in normal classes. Saying you graduated High school. I personally think It be better for me to drop out and get a GED and be done with it, but hey That's me. I Might have a negative view one the education system though.. All it having done is fail me.

I find your puzzle pattern ribbon avatar highly offensive. We are not broken, incomplete puzzles, that much I do know.

it is a 'developmental disorder'

I do do a lot of research, thank you. But, if I were to tell the general public "pervasive developmental disorder", would there be any such luck? That's all I'm saying. I'm kinda annoyed at this.

And I'm asking this thinking in advanced for university applications. The only categories for AccessAbility are mental/psychiatric, learning disability, AD/HD, and physical, sensory, or medical. Four. There is no "pervasive developmental disorder" category for applications. Link is below for requirements at my main university.

https://uwaterloo.ca/accessability-services/documentation

Here are the categories for my second choice university, from the site itself:


https://www.uoguelph.ca/csd/documentation-requirements

There is no "pervasive developmental disorder" category again. Look, I am kinda being sarcastic and stuff here, but I'm trying to prove that this question is more departments that are slightly more intelligent on disabilities than the "Average Joe". I'm applying this year, and need to get setting this up, and I'm thinking of this in a general sense too, because, as stated, how many people know what a "pervasive developmental disorder" is? I didn't until I did research.

And now, looking at your next post, you're assuming I'm American (as I find most Americans do... Always happens). There is no 504 plan stuff in Canada. Just IEPs. We have a category for giftedness for crying out loud. People with an IQ of higher than 130. My friend gets extra time because of it. IEP =/= stupid or average necessarily. It means, as what you said, an "Individualized Education Plan". People who are gifted can have a learning disability or autism or mental illness or be deaf or blind or visually impaired or something like that. You can have multiple categories here anyways. Out of the 11 (technically 10) categories, I'm considered under three of them. Here are our categories at this link if you are super curious:
http://www.peopleforeducation.ca/faq/what-are-the-categories-of-exceptionalities/

And again, you assume that everything thinks autism = stupid. But, in an area with more educated people like a school where hundreds over the years of autistic teens/adults have attended, I'm sure they know what it is. Plus, all the staff are educated on disabilities anyways.

And again, I am not getting an IEP diploma because IEP means two completely different things in Canada and the US. Gifted kids have IEPs and aren't given a IEP diploma. I'm doing everything "normal" but with accommodations. No modifications. If I used modifications, that'd be an IEP diploma. Also, we have a placement system here that means different things. There are five levels of where you are. One is full day of "regular" school and the last is full placement in the special education classroom with lots of rules and regulations.

And I have no idea what a GED is. You mean a high school diploma? I'm applying to university next year. I need my 6 courses to get in from grade 12 being a mixed or university level course. 5 are university levelled and 1 is mixed (music).

Bullying is not as bad here as the States anyways. My friends were fine and are willing to accommodate me if I have difficulties. I just need to speak up more what I need help with.

And now, my conclusion. You are being really hypocritical here. Saying that I don't do enough research on "autism" though it's my "special interest" as it is referred to as professionals. But yet, you don't know whom you are talking to. I'm from Ontario. Ontario, Canada. Not United States of America here. You assumed that I didn't know what I'm talking about and assumed I'm American. Where I'm from is literally beside my name in the "location" section. Unless I put Ontario, then you wouldn't know because of reasons I'm keeping to myself.

And I also don't like the "no offence" line most of the time, because normally when people say this it means that after what they say is offensive.

Hopefully I have cleared up a few things for you.

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Now, after some of my anger was released, I am asking this because the public doesn't know autism like autistics know autism. No form is honestly going to ask you if you have a pervasive developmental disorder. They will say medical conditions. This is why I ask my question. Do I say autism is a medical condition or not? If medical condition means this:


http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/medical+condition

Dooesn't it qualify as a medical condition? But I'm also asking the tricky part of what society deems a medical condition. This is why I'm asking.

It's medical. Psychological is more like mood disorder or schizophrenia.

I would just go with learning disability. That is the closest for me that would fit. And if you're not sure, call them or something and ask.

I think that list is more check all that apply rather than just choose one to categorize it, I could be wrong. People on the spectrum having varying impairments with varying severity.

Psychological. The medical community doesn't know what to do with autism.

I say no to all the above, I see it as a 'Brain Type', Not a disorder, as a minority in this world having a different brain type like any other minority will always be scrutinised.. and over time people on the spectrum consciously or subconsciously start to believe this, for instance, many individuals deal with 'Co-morbid issues' like depression etc based on how people have treated them and view them... and the result is even more heightened anxiety and depression, but not all experience this! Why, because they were lucky to receive the proper support and care at an early age, or are amongst a demographic that have accepted their individuality and quirks and also seen the positives and therefore accepted and are able to fit in better socially without too much of the overwhelm accociated with social interaction... It is ONLY called a 'DISORDER' in the US! In Europe when referring to aspies it is a 'Syndrome' not a disorder and there is even a movement that even Simon Baron Cohan has admitted to trying to put it as a different brain type and has admitted that he now views those on the spectrum highly empathic!, not a disorder... So you ask, why then does the DSM call it a 'Disorder', well that's a financial and political decision based on the fact insurance companies will not cover in the US unless it has 'DISORDER' written in there somewhere! If i had been accepted more for who i am and what i could achieve, i fully believe i wouldn't suffer with depression and such high anxiety! It isnt caused by aspergers, it is people! The aspergers just amplifies the emotions 10 fold compared to NT's and therefore becomes another subject all together... I am happy being who i am and my inner deeper views of life in general and a big part of that is because having the wiring and mind i do that NT's are totally unable to relate to!! It is hard as hell living in this world sometimes, but i love my different view points and being able to see what others cant, but it is also visa versa... If human beings were more accepting the benefits of a partnership though acceptance and proper understanding of those on the spectrum could be a benefit to all humanity as a working collective... Im not saying all on the spectrum, think this way or have the luck of being high functioning, but the same inner issues are still felt across the entire spectrum, and its generally down to just wanting acceptance to fit in... So no, i do not see it as a psychological condition nor a medical one ( as thats related to comorbid conditions) But one of a lack of understanding!


Again just my view point from my perspective, i know many will not agree, but even in that it shows and emphasises the point that we are just as different from each other on the spectrum as those that aren't!

Autism is a neurological disorder. Or a neuro-psychological disorder, as the effects of it show mainly in behaviour.
As it is listed in the DSM which means Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, so by that it counts as mental (psychological) disorder.
Your quote above about medical conditions includes mental or psychological condition or disorder to be a medical condition so if you fill in a form asking for a medical condition then by the definition of a medical condition you can fill in autism.

Autism is a neurological difference/disorder which could lead to psychological conditions.