[dns_snek]

It was written fine. ASD is a disorder which was the first item on that list. You could make the same type of argument about disabilities (e.g. deafness) and someone pointed out that people make the same arguments in the deaf community too.

[ssl-3]

Words mean things.

[dns_snek]

And my words in no way implied that those were equal, or that autism was necessarily an illness or a disability. People often make those arguments and I'm not one of them. You're attacking a straw man.

[ssl-3]

sigh.

> I see this sentiment often, but only when it comes to autism. How is this different from other disorders, disabilities, illnesses?

We have a comparative question involving a list of things, here.

Let's unroll the list and make separate comparative questions instead:

  autism. How is this different from other disorders?

This works. Autism is a disorder. It can be compared to other disorders.

  autism. How is this different from other disabilities?

This doesn't work. The comparison rests upon the implication that autism must be a disability, but that's just not absolute. It certainly can be disabling, but it often is not disabling.

  autism. How is this different from other illnesses?

This doesn't work. Autism is not an illness.

[mikestew]

I suggest going for the most charitable interpretation of OPs writing. This is isn’t it.