Asperger's a "medical conditon?"

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I requested some accommodations at work, and they sent me a letter asking for medical documentation. I gave them the psych report. Then they asked for more information about the link between job functions and my "medical condition."

I'm thinking of asking them to rewrite the letter because I'm thinking Asperger's is not a "medical condition," but a pervasive developmental disorder, "mental disorder," psychiatric disability, etc. Before I do though, I wanted to get your opinions.

Is Asperger's a medical condition? Maybe you could shed some light on what the DSM says about this too, or what the definition of "medical condition" even is?

Thanks!

- Fred

They probably have a box on their HR system for "medical conditions", I wouldn't worry about what they call it.

Jason

Well it's classed as a disability here.

I can understand where you're coming from, but I think you're being a bit pedantic.
Asperger's is a disorder, and disorders fall under the general bracket of "medical condition". It would be cumbersome for them to have everything else classed as "medical condition", and then Asperger's all on it's own.

They just making it hard to approve it. You just need to keep pushing them. With better written info on how the "medical condition" is linked to the "job function".

agreed. they are just making it difficult so that they dont have to provide you with any favours.

It is classified as a mental disorder.....from my understanding a medical problem is typically more physical. But for the purposes of the job thing or whatever I'd just describe how your mental condition effects your ability to work and what sort of accommodations would help.

Most reasonable employers want productive staff, if the accommodations are reasonable and relevant they'll go along with it. There are often grants they can access to help pay for any equipment etc.

Just be careful that you don't portray yourself as being incapable of performing the job you were hired for and make sure the accommodations are reasonable and justified.

Jason

Where I live, it's classified as a disability.

yes. Probably comes under mentla health / behavioural disorder.

for some of us it really is a disability

That comes under Disibility too lol

Dear Employer,

My name is _ _. I have a disorder called Aspergers. People with aspergers are often considered on the spectrum. This means we are related to autism but they are still researching it. My needs are not great but what I'd appreciate is understanding. Often when you hear me speak I will be quite literal, or almost seem as if I am being disobedient. This is not the case, and I simply don't understand all the social "grammar" which you take for granted. I may seem uninterested or not meet your eyes - but these are sometimes due to unseen factors which limit me physically from meeting your gaze without much effort and discomfort.. You may see me pacing, or making unusual movements - but these are mostly involuntary and if I am informed rather than scolded I can try my best to limit and/or stop these.

My intention is to be the best employee I can be - and as of right now I am only as good as I can be. I wish to be employed, I wish to have a job, and I wish to make you money. But, I ask you to bare with me and understand that even tho my vocabulary (might) be large, and even though you may have high hopes. I might always certainly fail when it comes to being a viable socialite.

Sincerely,
The Claw (Batman).

^This may be an example of what you want to explain, but from an employers point of view would come off as strange.

Just wanted to add that in order for anything to be a disability, it has to have a legal presence otherwise the definition is vague. Basically ANYTHING can be/become a disability and accommodations made at the workplace are required by law for certain physical disabilities, ie. wheelchair ramp put on the employee only entrance.

A mental disability is much harder to prove and get accommodations for. I'd love to tell my chef to stop coming at me with 50 different requests... but I've adapted and use a tape recorder and take a break to get everything written down. (this is a compromise, I don't have to make him change how he tells me what I need to do, just how I go about it.)

A medical condition is legal-speak for general purposes. Every law is written with "subject to interpretation" wriggle room. If you can prove autism is a medical condition.... ? Anyway, it's a developmental disorder and it's only a disability if it actually disables you.

I'd try to find ways of meeting an employer half-way; you weren't specific with the accommodations you were after so I hope I've answered your question, even if not specifically.

Last edited by kirayng on 19 Mar 2012, 4:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.

You know, I can write that letter and make it sound good. But in my profession if you handed that to someone you'd probably be lucky if they where able to read the first sentence. They'd point you off the job.

But I'm glad you might get use out of it.

A few jobs ago I had a moment where they relied on me due to my vocabulary/reading being better than the other 100 people that where there. This is the biggest fail of all I think when it comes to me as an aspie, and my employers/coworkers. High vocabulary misconstrued as high social skills, and then an ultimate nose dive when they put you on the spot. To me I was fine with what they put on me, but they misunderstood my actions, yelled at me multiple times and threw me into a meltdown.

I'm curious what profession you are in. And I completely agree with your last paragraph here, I've been told I'm quite articulate, have good people skills.... blah blah... then when you get to know me past the preprogrammed social graces..... yea, you know what I mean.

Also I deleted what I wrote there because I realized you were being sardonic lol just realized it too late

All disabilities are medical conditions.