Is Asperger syndrome necessarily viewed as a disability?

S Baron-Cohen - Focus on autism and other developmental …, 2002 - journals.sagepub.com
Focus on autism and other developmental disabilities, 2002journals.sagepub.com
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 …
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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