AS a Disability?

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Is it?

The "disability" I see as an incompatible difference. It isn't a disability.

Steve

I am not sure on this one myself.

Tim

Well, it is in the DSM-IV manual used by psychiatrists to diagnose disorders, and I am on the Special Educational Needs list for Asperger's at my school, so I guess in the view of some professionals, it is either a disorder or a disability.

But in my opinion, AS is not a disorder or a disability, in fact, it is a gift.

What I was getting at are what the differences are between the terms disorder, disability, giftedness, syndrome and disease?

With the idea of a lack of normal order, I guess it IS a disorder?
Since it in ITSELF isn't disabling, it isn't a disability.
Since it has the social deficit, it MAY not be clear giftedness although, ironically, it has LONG been known that the most gifted have the same type of deficit.
Syndrome lists a set of symptoms, so it IS a syndrome.
Disease? NOPE! No pathology!

Steve

I wouldn't say it was a 'disability' as that implies you're not 'able' to achieve something.
People with AS are able to achieve the same things as others,but it may take more effort
and practice.
Maybe 'condition' is a better word as there is definitely 'conditioning' to think in a
certain way.Then again 'condition' can also mean disease or ailment so I'm not sure
what the best term should be. 'Asperger State' perhaps. We can set up a country called
the United States Of Asperger's

We don't care as much about being "cool" and our image. We say what's on our minds and can master subjects of interest at a young age. How is that a weakness?

I think alot of people limit themselves on this site simply because they have this diagnosis or label. Often I hear "i don't know how to make friends or get dates because I can't socialize properly" or "I can't keep job because of poor social skills or sensory issues" Their are many bright people on this site and many of you are not as a disabled as you think. Many of things mentioned on this site can be worked on, you can learn and practice social skills to build up your confidence, you can get therapy for your depression, and you can work with an occupational therapist to help eliminate or reduce sensory issues to make life a little more pleasent for you. Who wants to keep living in a self fullfilling prophecy?

HFA/AS has alot of up sides, i think the key is working on trying to improve weaknesses (poor social skills, sensory issues, depression, etc) and embrace your strengths (hyperfocus, strong work ethic, objectivity, problem solving).


So in essence don't let the label "become" a disability and it won't.

/me steps off his soapbox

Yes.
No.

Found in the right niche, I'm not disabled, I'm exceptional.

But insist on this square peg going in the commonly found round hole and yes, the awkwardness looks very much like disability.


I've a degree and professional qualifications.
I own my own house and car.
Some would wish for my level of "disability"... or ability, if you prefer.

It depends on usage, doesn't it?
For some, merely spotting a significant difference from the statistical norm
would let them attach a label: " Abnormal" "Strange" "Disabled"

Maybe we should come up for a new word for it. It could be described vaguely along the lines of this:
Considered limited ie struggling with some areas, and yet excelling in many others.

Now, what could the word be? Someone should probably find a Latin meaning.
But in general, it's a disabling gift. No, it's not a disability, but it does limit us in certain areas (we can overcome this, of course ) while making us excel in others.

Disorder? Not really, in my point of view. Giftedness? Yes, in certain areas. Syndrome? Best word for it, but we need a new word, most likely. Disease? Who came up with that idea? I mean seriously? Disorder and Disability can have similar meanings in many instances, mentally speaking.

It has some disability aspects to it, such as social issues, however, it also has some benefits as well. I would not consider us disabled so much as having a different personality. We are not perfect and to say as such is BS, but nobody else is perfect either so it all works out.

I don't believe Asperger's Syndrome is a disability. I think it just means that we each have mildly different thought processes from the average neurotypical.

legally, yes, but it really doesn't follow most of the standards...

On the social front, I'd have to say yes.

When it comes to everything else, I'd have to say no.

Consider what it would be like if most people had AS and only a small fraction were what we call NT. We'd probably come up with some fancy name for the "disability" that the NTs have because their brains work differently than the rest of us.

(I wonder how we would describe the symptoms. Should I start a new thread?)