Do you view Asperger's as being a disability?

[. . .]

Do you view Asperger's as being a disability?

I view it as being a disability because it in fact does prevent me from doing things "normal" people can do. I experience a strong, disabling amount of anxiety around people. This prevents me from being able to live a normal life.

Sure, my Asperger's has positives. But in my case, the cons far outweigh the pros. I'm only speaking for myself though. I know some people aren't profoundly affected by their Asperger's, but I am.

 

[Droopy]

Well, Aspergers is a disability because people with it lack the ability to successfully socialise and communicate with others. Obviously not everyone will be affected at the same level but even the most outgoing and sociable Aspies still have problems which restrict or "disable" them in one way or another. So in that sense I view it as a disability. Of course, there are some pros too so not all of it is a disability.

 

[Reptillian]

What about those who are psuedo-aspergers like teenagers who are actually schizoid (can't legally diagnose teenagers with one of those personality till they're 18, but there has been some cases such as a 17 years old who were perceived as schizoid when she left school and look indifferent to socializing.) and highly functioning aspergers? To me, when the individual is highly functional into a social environment, then it's more of a personality matter in my opinion.

 

[Droopy]

To me, when the individual is highly functional into a social environment, then it's more of a personality matter in my opinion.

Well, as of this year I have been more successful with my social life. I guess that would mean I am highly functional or "mild". However, despite the success I have been having this year and making friends, I still have problems too. For example, talking via telephone is a big problem for me as is meeting strangers, giving speeches, knowing what to say when around friends, being with a group of my friends, anxiety and so-on. So I would still say I have some disabilities to overcome.

 

[jaws]

Well, as of this year I have been more successful with my social life. I guess that would mean I am highly functional or "mild". However, despite the success I have been having this year and making friends, I still have problems too. For example, talking via telephone is a big problem for me as is meeting strangers, giving speeches, knowing what to say when around friends, being with a group of my friends, anxiety and so-on. So I would still say I have some disabilities to overcome.

Agree.

Before this year, I would have seen it more as a personality trait rather than a disability. But, I'm really starting to notice certain things, like underemployment and being taken advantage of by co-workers and friends...in ways that are directly due to the social ability inequality. Because of that, I will now definitely call it a disability.

That said, I still don't think I'd want to change myself to be more NT...I just need to find better NT's and more Aspie friends.

 

[Droopy]

Another way to view it, as suggested by someone on another forum, is as an obstacle rather than a disability.

 

[Blade_Runner]

Yes, I definitely view it as a disability. It's frustrating seeing those around me automatically abiding by social rules and there's me putting my foot in it - again. I mean, NTs seem balanced emotionally and mentally whereas I just have extremes. And the knowledge of never being able to grasp the world like "normal" people is just darned depressing at times.

 

[MoCoffee]

I've thought about this a lot, and I do view my Asperger's as a disability. The diagnosis has allowed me to accept myself as I am, and it has brought understanding to my family and friends. I can now look for ways to deal with the social and sensory handicaps while enjoying some of the perks that come with my Asperger's. I was diagnosed in my 50's, and I can't help but wonder how my life would have been better if I'd been diagnosed as a child. After all, my "differences" were very apparent by the time I started school. I firmly believe that the earlier the diagnosis and treatment (including coping skills) of any disability, the better the chance of success.

 

[King_Oni]

I guess... it depends on perspective.

Can I function in society just like everyone else? Nope... and by that standard, I am disabled.

Can I function by my own standards (and might I think society is a bit messed up)? Yes... and by that standard, I'm differently abled. (I just can't help that society expects things of people that are unrealistic at best but a lot of people will bend over and go to great lengths to achieve this... no wonder half the population is medicated).

 

[Christy]

I guess so. It's not for my benefit though, it's for the benefit of the people that need to change things from what works for everyone else so I can achieve the same as everyone else.

 

[deathgrip]

i am on disability because of it so i would hope. i am sonewhere in between classic autism and aspergers.
i am disabled by over sensory processing in addition to not being able to socialize well. i have friends but you have to be a pretty well informed of my autism prior if youre going to be around me, and even then its fairly noticable in my actions although you would never know by simply looking at me.
i have worked in the past but the politics and other co workers, it has caused me so much anxiety and not many workplaces for nts can understand sensory issues. Sone people arent as effected in this way and can work for uears. very envious myself of this.

 

[CaveDweller]

I find it very disabling and feel that it always holds me back. It has always been frustrating seeing more extrovert colleagues getting high up in the workplace despite, in many cases, having less knowledge and ability. Society is set up for extroverts who talk a lot. Quite often (but by no means always) I find that this just means they are empty drums which make a lot of noise.

Relationships are difficult to form and to keep going for any length of time. Some people feel like half a person when they are single whereas I feel like half a person when I am with someone. I have to make more compromises than them to keep things going. (Trying to fit into their needs and way of doing things, rarely the other way around).

Of course it's not all bad and a lot of my Aspie characteristics are valued by others I know, but it is definitely disabling for me.

 

[Grace13]

I don't know.... :l

 

[Harrison]

Nope.

Do I want to function in society like everyone else?

Nope.

 

[AsheSkyler]

I believe autism is a spectrum condition and as true to it's properties, there are some who are disabled and some who are not, and that even some of it's components can be both a disability and not.

My keen nose alerts me to toxins and odors faster than other people, but at the price of certain smells other people don't mind making me sick. I can see well in dim light, but as a consequence I can't handle bright lights very well. My OCD is a huge boon and vital to my job, but there are some with dyspraxia so severe they can't even prepare their own meals without cutting or burning themselves. Some components are good, some are bad, some are mixed. Just part of that spectrum thing.

 

[Shawn D]

I think it's more of a disability if you don't know you have it.
Being aware makes it easier to navigate society, though I haven't attempted to get a job since becoming a full-time mom, so there may not be sufficient evidence to support this hypothesis.

 

[Aspergirl4hire]

I'm not sure how I view it--because I know I don't have the problems others here report, but I do have problems and I resent having to work that much harder at things I don't understand, and I'll never really be good enough at them.

That said, I look at it as a "niche switch"--how nature can enable two species competing for the same food items in the same space to mostly avoid each other. Red-tailed hawks and great horned owls, for instance.

One of the most interesting things about the niche switch is when the two species don't behave in a mutually hostile fashion. In the midwestern U.S., for instance, great grey owls and northern harriers have been seen engaging in flight ballet; they look as if they're showing off for each other during those times when one's going "off duty." Considering the caloric drag, it's a startling exhibition of confidence and success.

As an aspie, I need to stop hunting in the wrong niche, and find people who whose flight is play and whose fight is for another opponent, another day. Recollecting a comment by Slithytoves (sorry, don't know how to "tag"), I'd like to not feel a need to "join" groups or institutions, but I do feel it; I need other people, but I can't seem to be easy with them unless I'm doing work with them.

And so I love work...and that is a real liability, considering how often I'm among people who do work hard but who don't like it.

 

[Shawn D]

I'm not sure how I view it--because I know I don't have the problems others here report, but I do have problems and I resent having to work that much harder at things I don't understand, and I'll never really be good enough at them.

That said, I look at it as a "niche switch"--how nature can enable two species competing for the same food items in the same space to mostly avoid each other. Red-tailed hawks and great horned owls, for instance..

I think that in today's society, there is more of a "niche" for Aspies than there ever used to be. Society has become increasingly dependent upon technologies and less dependent on personal interactions and the need to be charming. As a result it is easier for Aspies to navigate this new landscape of 1s and 0s. IT is ripe with Aspies, because the field depends more on the ability to be accurate and focused than on the ability to make small talk by the water cooler.

 

[Grumpy Cat]

. I have to make more compromises than them to keep things going. (Trying to fit into their needs and way of doing things, rarely the other way around).

I was just wondering if you could be more specific about the compromise thing. Examples?

 

[Aspergirl4hire]

I think that in today's society, there is more of a "niche" for Aspies than there ever used to be. Society has become increasingly dependent upon technologies and less dependent on personal interactions and the need to be charming. As a result it is easier for Aspies to navigate this new landscape of 1s and 0s. IT is ripe with Aspies, because the field depends more on the ability to be accurate and focused than on the ability to make small talk by the water cooler.

Although I work in IT, I have not found that to be true. There is very little of IT that isn't social, now, and being female remains a bit problematic. The aspie male may be getting by, but the women are still expected to act "female."