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Is Asperger Syndrome Necessarily Viewed as a Disability?

Simon Baron-CohenView all authors and affiliations

Volume 17, Issue 3

https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576020170030801

Abstract

This article considers whether Asperger syndrome (AS) should necessarily be viewed as a disability or, from a different perspective, as a difference. The author concludes that the term difference in relation to AS is a more neutral, value-free, and fair description, and that the term disability better applies to the lower functioning cases of autism. But he recognizes that disability may need to be retained for AS as long as the legal framework provides financial and other support only for individuals with a disability. A model is summarized that attempts to define in what way individuals with AS are “different”: the empathizing—systemizing model.

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1.

1. This article is based on an essay first published in Development and Psychopathology, 12, 489—500.

2.

2. The author was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council (UK), the Three Guineas Trust, the Shirley Foundation, the Isaac Newton Trust, and the James Mc-Donnell Foundation during the period of this work.

3.

1. “Persistent” here does not necessarily mean for years, but certainly for extended periods of time. Typical reports describe intense interests lasting for months, with then a switch to new, equally intense topics.

4.

2. Temple Grandin, at the recent Geneva Centre Conference on autism in Toronto (November 1998) said, “What would happen if you eliminated the autism genes from the gene pool? You would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and socializing and not getting anything done!” This anecdote nicely illustrates that the genes for autism may lead to a different cognitive style that has enormous practical value in its own right (Baron-Cohen et al., 1998; Baron-Cohen, Wheelwright, Stott, Bolton, & Goodyer, 1997).

5.

A research assistant with Asperger syndrome working at Yale gave me another anecdote. He said, “If we are autists, you guys are heterists. The diagnostic features of heterists are making lots of eye contact, and overlooking details such as small coins on patterned carpets or car number plates.” Again, this anecdote emphasizes our differences, and raises the question in an amusing way about why one style should be regarded as a disability.

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