FOR PARENTS WHO WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT AUTISM, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHAT AUTISM IS… AND WHAT IT’S NOT. FOR OTHERS THERE IS CONCERN THAT PROMOTING PRIDE IN AUTISM SOMETIMES VENTURES INTO ADDING TO THE STIGMA OF OTHER MENTAL CONDITIONS OR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES.

By Yolande LOFTUS, BA, LLB

A LinkedIn post by Russell Lehmann caught my attention recently. In a video, the motivational speaker talks about how the autism community insulting the mental health community “grinds his gears.” Defining autism, especially for those who found their identity in the condition, elicits strong emotions. Many on the spectrum, with high intellect, are vocal about autism not being like other intellectual conditions or disabilities. To them autism exists in a separate sphere to disabilities, disorders, and the uber offensive term “mental retardation.”

Believe it or not, “mental retardation” was a medical term used for people with intellectual disabilities decades ago, but the terminology was officially changed when then President Obama signed Rosa’s Law. Unfortunately, individuals with intellectual disabilities are often more stigmatized and socially excluded than any other group.

In a misguided way of advocating for autism, the condition is sometimes favorably compared to other mental conditions or intellectual disabilities. This not only adds to stigmatizing intellectual disabilities, it also ignores the fact that it is possible– and probable–to be on the spectrum and have a co-occurring intellectual disability.

While these conversations are important, many parents are not overly concerned with precise boundaries of inclusivity when it comes to diagnosis. Instead, they want to know where autism and intellectual disability meet (or diverge) for purposes of treatment and intervention. In this article, autism and intellectual disability will be examined to find the link and differences between these conditions and help those confused by their apparent synonymous nature.

Difference between autism and intellectual disability

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) is a good place to start to discover the differences between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability.