Is autism a disability?

This is one of the most common questions we hear from people who are researching the neurodivergent space as they try to make sense of their own journey and experiences. 

In this post, we’ll discuss how autism as a disability is viewed in a medical sense versus how it’s viewed by society. Then we’ll talk about how NeuroSpark can help autistic people access the resources they need to feel understood and accepted.

So, is autism a disability? To be honest, it’s tricky and it deserves a much more nuanced conversation. Yes, the technical answer is that autism is a disability. 

The definition of a disability is “a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that impairs, interferes with, or limits a person's ability to engage in certain tasks or actions or participate in typical daily activities and interactions” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2023). 

So, by definition, yes — autistic people are not going to process information and operate in the same way as a person who is allistic. And that is completely OK. The problem with this question is not the answer; it’s the fact that society is unfortunately not designed to enable or accommodate the neurodiversity that exists across the human race. Instead, it is fundamentally built on neuronormativity, which feeds the belief that if people don’t approach things the typical way, they are labeled as “less than.” Operating differently is not intrinsically a bad thing, but due to social intolerance and systemic ableism, neurodivergent people are disadvantaged by this. In other words, society itself is disabling to them, it is not just their neurodivergence that is disabling. This is known as the social model of disability.

There is no question that society at large is not built to support neurodivergent people, and real change needs to happen in order for neurodivergent people to be less impaired by society and this would improve their lives. But even in a perfectly accessible and inclusive world, there would still be very real challenges faced by autistic people which are still disabling by nature. Even with the right accommodations and support in place at work, school, or home, an autistic person can still struggle due to their disability. For example, an autistic person can still walk outside and feel sensory overload by the bright sun, natural sounds; they may still struggle with executive functioning, or meeting other needs. There are genuine neurological differences that make existing more difficult, notwithstanding the many societal barriers. In contrast to the social model of disability, the medical model views disability as solely intrinsic and can be highly pathologizing and deficit-based. Those who subscribe to the medical model may conceptualize autism as a disorder that needs to be “fixed” or “cured.” 

Remember, neither approach fully encapsulates the lived experience of neurodivergent people. The community frequently discusses flaws with both models and there are many ways to define what disability means to you. Your experience, your identity, and how you choose to identify or define yourself, are valid. 

For so long, neurotypical people have had the loudest voice in the neurodivergent space. And while it may sometimes be well intentioned, it’s still not accurate to our lived experiences. We are a neurodivergent-owned organization here to give voice and power to others on their journey to discover their own truths about who they are, and that also means the freedom to choose how they wish to explore and define their identity on their own terms. 

Autism as a disability in the medical sense

In basic terms, a disability refers to any physical or mental condition that impacts a person’s body or mind. A disability makes it difficult to carry out regular activities. There’s a vast range of conditions that have been defined as disabilities. Some disabilities include mental health disorders, chronic illnesses and developmental disabilities.

Autism is a neurological developmental disability that causes differences in the brain. Just like how the word “disability” isn’t bad, neither is the word “different.” It simply is just that — different. However, we also don’t want to dismiss, deny or sugarcoat someone’s disability by avoiding the word “disability” itself (by using terms such as “differently-abled”), as that further perpetuates the notion that disability is a bad thing. This is why it is critical for autistic people to find autism-affirming care, and to work with people who understand that autism is neither bad nor less, it’s simply a different approach to the world compared to neurotypical individuals.

That being said, medical professionals can help support autistic individuals not by aiming to “fix them,” but by assisting them with other health issues that can co-occur with autism, such as gastrointestinal problems, depression and anxiety. Autism-affirming therapy can also help autistic individuals work through challenging situations, develop tools to cope with stressors, and get care that can improve any associated mental health issues they may be experiencing.  

Autism as a disability created by society

Even though many disabilities are invisible, not everyone understands that. Incorrect assumptions and stereotypes surrounding disabilities such as autism can lead nondisabled individuals to have certain negative perceptions of it. Ableism can also be subtle or unconscious, where they may not even realize they have these perceptions. 

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Instead of viewing neurodivergence simply as a different approach to neurotypical things, sometimes society views a disability as a hindrance or obstacle that prevents someone from living life to the fullest.

For autistic people, this hindrance often stems from attempting to navigate a society that is designed by, and in favor of, neurotypical people (predominantly white, cis, hetero privileged males). Autistic people are just one of many marginalized groups who are disadvantaged by this, and they usually have to work exponentially harder and face innumerable barriers to survive and overcome. It is a tireless struggle to be understood and accepted, let alone get the care and support they may need. With the right support, we hope to help people find their way in society and are committed to helping autistic individuals find their spark — their passion that ignites something incredible inside their mind and soul. This passion is often unmatched in the neurotypical world, and it can lead to great things when harnessed and nurtured. By eliminating or overcoming the aforementioned societal barriers, this very spark becomes more accessible to them. And it benefits everyone.  

Society’s perception of autism as a disability is that the autistic person should try to blend in with the neurotypical people around them. Instead, society should be recognizing and supporting the differences that make them stand out. The goal should be to give autistic people the support and resources they need to be who they are, and it is up to us to mitigate these societal/environmental challenges by moving toward greater acceptance, inclusivity and accessibility for all types of different brains and bodies. 

How NeuroSpark Health can help you explore what disability means for you  

When both the medical industry and general society have differing opinions of autism as a disability, it’s essential that autistic people acknowledge their disability without feeling ashamed of it. We’re here to explore with you what autism, neurodivergence, and/or disability means for you, personally. You get to decide what resonates with you — self-discovery is your own process and there is no one “right way” of relating to yourself and the world around you. It's important to have a space to have these conversations with people who respect and affirm your experience without judgment or bias. 

At NeuroSpark, we are all about helping you learn valuable information about yourself. We can help you accomplish this with an autism assessment and autism-affirming therapy. We pride ourselves on authenticity — we are neurodivergent-led and center our work in lived experience. 

We are a judgment-free environment that is safe and affirming for all people, especially neurodivergent adults from marginalized communities. We offer one-on-one coaching and accommodations consulting. We also offer therapy in select states and are currently working to expand our network of neurodiversity-affirming therapy to include more states.