From Rachel Officer
Autism is not a “mental illness” (17 May, p 34). People with autism or Asperger’s syndrome refer to it as a “condition”. They do not even like the term “disorder”. It is incredibly disrespectful, hurtful and wrong to describe these people as having a mental illness. There is great debate in the world of autism about whether it should be viewed as something society should even be considering “curing”. Many people with autism just want to be allowed to reach their potential and for society to make as much effort to accommodate them as they make to fit in to our strange world.
However, it is becoming evident through research that a high percentage of those with autism suffer mental health problems too.
Malvern, Worcestershire, UK
