The Social Security Administration recognizes Autism, or Autistic Disorder, as a disabling condition. Benefits are available for those who have the condition, or a similar Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and meet certain eligibility criteria. Aspects of the condition must be medically documented and/or, in some cases, show obvious marked difficulties and impairments.
Adults
Adults must show medical documentation proving deficits in communication abilities, social interaction, imaginative activity and restricted interests and activities.
Results
For an adult to qualify, the above deficits must result in two of the following: restrictions in daily living, trouble maintaining social function, difficulties keeping concentration and/or repeat episodes of prolonged duration.
Children
Medical documents for children must show deficits in communication, imaginative activity, development of social interaction and restricted activities and interests.
Ages 3 to 18
For a child between the ages of 3 and 18 to qualify, the above deficits must result two of the following criteria: difficulty keeping concentration, age-appropriate communication impairment, impairment in age-appropriate social functioning and/or impairment in age-appropriate personal functioning.
Ages 1 to 3
For a small child between the ages of 1 and 3, the above deficits must result in at least one of the criteria for children ages 3 to 18.
Parents
The findings for children are based on medical documentation and history as well as statements made about observations made by parents and other adults in the affected child's life.
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