Don't use 'Autism' as a Synonym for Intellectual Disability; They're not the same

Maybe not so much in the UK and Ireland, but certainly in the United States, I find that a lot of people use the word autism to describe someone who has an intellectual disability. Let us just clear a few things up. Yes, I agree that those with intellectual disabilities can be autistic, although by and large, autistic people tend not to have intellectual disabilities. 

That is exactly where it lies. This is where the problem really is. It is that a lot of people think that autism is an intellectual disability, whereas it is not. It is simply a different way of processing and communicating information. 

So, if I were to ask and plead fo'r one thing, it is to not use the word autism to describe a learning disability. Although I do keep in mind that there are those with learning disabilities who are autistic as well, still they are not the same. 

Jude Morrow

NTI

www.neurodiversity-training.com