[fruiet]

I don't know why this post has been voted down. Autism most definitely is not a mental illness. It's a disability.

[xapata]

What's the difference? Would you prefer "condition"?

[iand]

The difference is that autism cannot be eliminated via psychiatric methods. It's a neurological condition.

[jnwatson]

Nor can schizophrenia be eliminated via psychiatric methods.

[xapata]

I think many aspects of a mind cannot be eliminated by psychiatric methods, yet most we would simply call personality.

[loceng]

Developmental disorder is more widely used, and more correct.