Does autism count as a "disability?"

[jhmmd]

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Maybe this would be a better fit for Confidential Consult. Mods, please redirect this thread if there is a better place for it, but I'm not asking for myself or for a friend; just out of genuine curiosity.

The AAMC's "reasonable accomodations" clause details very specific guidelines which qualify someone as "disabled" and therefore outside the realm of reasonable accomodations. In other words, there are very specific standards that students must meet in order to be able to auscultate, palpate, examine patients, etc.

Do you think autism qualifies as a "disability," and therefore should count as "discrimination?" Do you think we should have quotas for a certain number of autistic kids in each matriculating class?

My gut instinct is that bedside manner is of increasing importance in our hyper-litigious culture, and that a quota is not a good idea for many other reasons, including the AAMC's core competencies that were developed in 2015. But I want to know what other people think.

 

[Goro]

Quota??? F. no.

 

[beattheprocess]

Do you think we should have quotas for a certain number of autistic kids in each matriculating class?

probably overrepresented already anyway

 

[sarcasmrules]

My gut instinct is that bedside manner is of increasing importance in our hyper-litigious culture, and that a quota is not a good idea for many other reasons, including the AAMC's core competencies that were developed in 2015. But I want to know what other people think.

Autism is a spectrum under the new DSM. Level 1 (the high functioning/mild end) are capable of developing interpersonal skills with the proper treatment. In many cases, level 1 treatment doesn't require medication; they are put in some form of therapy (such as speech therapy) to help them gain perspective and help them understand the social skills they lack and how to develop them.

Speech therapy for high functioning autistics is like lessons in developing any skill sets for others. Take chess for example, easy to learn but very difficult to master. The absolute rules of chess (how the pieces move, how to win) are easy to learn. However, the "soft" rules are not rules you need to follow, but in most cases, you should, because they will enhance your chess abilities. One example is being aware of back rank checkmates after castling. Learning all these soft rules can be tedious if you are learning yourself through trial and error. But if you learn from Grandmasters (a title awarded to the strongest chess players in the world), you'll learn all the "soft" rules and nuances of chess at a much faster rate if you were teaching yourself. The same thing with speech therapists for high functioning autistics. Autistics aren't able to develop social skills through trial and error as normal people are able to. But if they are being treated by someone who knows the "soft" rules and nuances of social skills, they can develop their social skills and become indiscernible.

I know a guy from my undergrad and everyone, including myself hated him. I recently reconnected with him and during the 5-6 years since we last saw each other, he got diagnosed with autism and has been receiving treatment (speech therapy) and let me tell you HOLY S**T! There is no comparison between the person he was then and the person he is now. He's also premed and if you asked me back then if I thought he could be a good doctor based on his social skills, I would say no way in hell. Now, I say he will indeed be a wonderful doctor. His tremendous growth is an inspiration not just for autistics, but to people in general. Not only would I consider him a friend now, but he has my utmost respect for being able to face his shortcomings to become a better person.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if there were undiagnosed autistics who are doctors, but have horrible social skills. I've seen quite a few stories on Quota. I for one, wouldn't be wary because they are diagnosed. A diagnosis isn't a label, it's the starting point to bettering yourself because you know precisely what you need help on. For some reason people fail to realize this when it comes to lifelong mental health conditions like autism. At the same time, I would want to ensure they have a handle on their condition.

 

[jhmmd]

Autistics aren't able to develop social skills through trial and error as normal people are able to. But if they are being treated by someone who knows the "soft" rules and nuances of social skills, they can develop their social skills and become indiscernible.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if there were undiagnosed autistics who are doctors, but have horrible social skills. I've seen quite a few stories on Quota. I for one, wouldn't be wary because they are diagnosed. A diagnosis isn't a label, it's the starting point to bettering yourself because you know precisely what you need help on. For some reason people fail to realize this when it comes to lifelong mental health conditions like autism. At the same time, I would want to ensure they have a handle on their condition.

This bolded point is quite interesting! Do you really think that these people can improve to the point where they truly "blend in" with those who are not on the autistic spectrum?

 

[sarcasmrules]

This bolded point is quite interesting! Do you really think that these people can improve to the point where they truly "blend in" with those who are not on the autistic spectrum?

Given the guy I met, yes. I don't think it's possible to hide it 24/7. But given how he is now, you have to know him really well on a personal level to pick up on it whereas before, it was obvious right off the bat.

 

[YCAGA]

A quota for people with autism??? Are there even quotas for other disabilities? I have a really hard time believing this isn’t a troll post given the quota part, but maybe I am just paranoid.