I've seen some blogs about this subject matter. I have a mild form of high-functioning autism myself. And I want to make something very clear.
I've seen posts describing what I have and what others have dealt with as an illness. That is not at all true. I've been in physically good health for most of my life. My autism has never affected me physically, I've never felt "sick" having it. It's just given me some quirks and a certain social awkwardness at times. Even those who have a much more severe form than I do, the kind that you see in the worse scenario, they do not have an illness. They still enjoy life in their own way, and have thoughts and feelings like everyone else. Let's be realistic, there are challenges unique to the autism experience, as I know first hand. However, challenges alone do not make someone have an illness. I understand what the person was saying when they mentioned this comment, but as someone who lives with autism and will continue to do so my whole life, illness has never been the right word, and I think if you spoke to many people on the autism spectrum, they'd agree. Just be careful with the wording of such things, is all I ask.
It's a mental illness. I don't think anyone has argued that Autism is an illness that physically affects you, but it is a mental illness. There is nothing wrong with that though, autism is a mental illness that isn't stigmatized as much as others and people with autism can go on to live wonderful, happy lives.
this is one thing people need to get about autism is that it isn't an illness, it's a disorder. Illnesses are usually stigmatized but autism is something that illness doesn't really apply to.
People need to learn the difference between a mental disorder & a mental illness. Autism is a mental DISORDER. It is not an illness. Mental illnesses are schizophrenia, Bipolar, any mood disorder, any eating disorder, any personality disorder, OCD, etc. Those are illnesses & these people are considered SICK.
Mental disorders/disabilities/condition include things such as Autism, Downs, mental retardation, dyslexia, etc. it's really not that hard to understand. People should try to educate themselves before speaking on subjects they know little or nothing about.
ugh, my cousin has autism and everyone considers him to have a mental illness and it really bothers my aunt and i and others in the family because my cousin isn't ill, he can still do stuff like everyone else, just he's a lot more cuter doing it
YES! PREACH! Seriously though, I have Asperger's Syndrome, and always hate when people call it a mental illness, because it's not. It's a DISORDER. Huge difference.
It's a tricky topic. Historically, mental conditions have not been respected. People are only just getting used to the correct terminology. I personally have called autism a mental illness and I apologise for my ignorance. I guess illness implies that there's a medicine for it, but that's not the case for autism or Asperger's. Dementia, I guess, is a mental illness, right?
Illness also implies that it is something that has been contracted or developed over time Or
it's something that can be cured. I don't really like the term disorder either, but it's in the name 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' or ASD for short...conversation solved.
Just because it is something to do with the mind does not make it an illness. You wouldn't call dyslexia an illness, would you?
