Is Asperger Syndrome a disability?

Professor Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre and Professor of Developmental Psychopathology at the University of Cambridge, will argue that those with Asperger Syndrome just have different strengths and weaknesses than other people.

"Whilst it is true that people with Asperger Syndrome have difficulties socialising, and this can be disabling, one does not need to focus on what they cannot do so well - one could instead focus on what they can do well, and perhaps even better than others," he will say.

"They have normal or above average IQ, can be very accurate at perceiving small details, and may be fascinated by systems and the way things work. These are all qualities that are real advantages in some areas of life."

Professor Baron-Cohen is one of the world's leading experts on autism and Asperger Syndrome. His research has led him to conclude that, in a society that values social skills over systemising skills, people with Asperger Syndrome may have special needs, but it does not necessarily follow that they are 'disabled' in the traditional sense of the word.

"It is useful to continue classifying Asperger Syndrome as a disability because of the way special-needs support is funded,” he explains, “but there are lots of ways we can think about introducing change into society so that people with this different profile are no longer struggling or seen as primarily disabled."

The third Annual Disability Lecture, 'Is Asperger Syndrome necessarily a disability?', will take place from 5pm tonight in the Palmerston Room of the Fisher Building at St John's College, Cambridge. The event is free and open to the general public.

The Annual Disability Lectures were launched by the University of Cambridge's Disability Resource Centre and Disability Forum in 2003. They are supported by St John's College, Cambridge.

Picture of Professor Simon Baron-Cohen by Perry Hastings.