Information About Disabilities and Social Security Disablity

Autism, like all other pervasive developmental disorders, is a condition that can render a person disabled due to their inability to interact efficiently with other people as well as to live independently. Should a disability develop from these developmental disorders, they may be qualified to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, as long as they are able to meet the given criteria for such a disorder.

What are autistic disorders and other pervasive developmental disorders?

Autistic disorders or autistic spectrum disorders refer to pervasive developmental disorders. In these disorders a person’s social interactions and communication skills are impaired, with repetitive and restricted behavior patterns.
There are five pervasive developmental disorders: Autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Pervasive Development Disorder not otherwise specified or PDD-NOS. They present varying degrees of impairment and severity of condition.

What are the criteria for receiving SSDI benefits for autistic disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders?

According to the Social Security Disability Insurance evaluation board, autistic disorders, including the other pervasive developmental disorders is described as having the lack of reciprocity in social interactions, underdeveloped communication skills, and lack of imaginative activity. Interests and activities of people with these disorders are often restricted and repetitive.
A person with such disorder may qualify for SSDI benefits should they meet the given criteria for its severity. The conditions stated in both sections A and B should be present to be able to meet the level of severity needed to qualify.
A. Presence of the following conditions, with medical evidence and documentation:
1. All of the given conditions, if for autistic disorders:
a. lack of ability to reciprocate in social interactions
b. lack of communication skills for both verbal, and non verbal, including imaginative activity
c. distinct restrictions in interests and activities
OR
2. All of the given conditions, if for any other pervasive developmental disorder
a. lack of ability to reciprocate in social interactions
b. lack of communication skills for both verbal, and non verbal, including imaginative activity

B. Has two or more of the following effects:
1. decrease in the ability to perform daily living activities
2. decrease in the ability to maintain social functioning
3. decrease in the ability to concentrate, pace, or persist
4. recurrent incidences of the inability to compensate for certain situations, each with a longer duration

What are the statistics for autistic disorders and other pervasive developmental disorders?
§ There are about 2-6 children out of a 1000 who have an autistic disorder
§ Males are much more prone to developing an autistic disorder, rather than females
§ An early diagnosis may have a better chance of recovery

What is the cause of autistic disorders and other pervasive developmental disorders?
There is no definite cause on how a pervasive developmental disorder such as autistic disorder develops in a person. However, there are some speculations as to its origin. Some hypothesize that it results from other illness acquired during birth. It is also thought to be caused by an alteration in the genes.
Nevertheless, much research is still being made as to knowing the exact cause of pervasive developmental disorders.

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