High Functioning Autism Class 1

[speedbird_1]

Hi all!

I've been following these forums and I really cannot say enough about those who give their time and effort to help others. We need more like you :).

I am due to have my class 1 initial done shortly and there are a few things that are worrying me slightly. On the form, it gives you the option to declare family history of mental illnesses. My twin was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism pre-school and my younger brother was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome not too long ago. As far as I'm aware, I have never been been diagnosed with HFA (I know for sure I haven't been diagnosed with asperger's). I did have a language delay when I was younger, which may have led some to believe I may have similar symptoms, but as before, I've never had an official diagnosis of the condition.

The concern I have is that my family history will let me down. Should I be concerned? Another thing which is concerning me is if the CAA happen to come across HFA and I wasn't aware of the diagnosis. Anyone know what their view is on that? I want to be as honest as possible, I wouldn't want to risk having my license withheld.

[Phororhacos]

I see your location is UK so you should have an NHS GP. It is usual practice for all medical reports and letters from specialists to be copied to your GP and should be in your GP record. You might want to ask your GP for a copy of the relevant records (there may be a charge for this) so you can see what is held on file.

[Pinkman]

Our youngest (now aged 7) was diagnosed by the NHS as Autistic aged 2. Obviously we've done a massive amount of research to support him. He is extremely high functioning but we were told the NHS don't usually subdivide into high/low, etc. He essentially had Aspergers with a speech delay but now he's a complete chatterbox, and while his social skills still need work, he's basically up there with the rest of the class - mostly streets ahead especially in areas such as maths.

As you will know, Autism is a spectrum disorder and there is some evidence that there is a genetic component in some cases - but this is far from proven in the same way and to the same extent as hereditary physical conditions. There are are all sorts of contributory factors (older fathers like me are said to be more likely to have autistic kids) and as far as I know we're not at the stage yet where insurers and assessors can reliably and predictively take it into consideration based on family history to the extent of excluding people from employment based on a relative with ASD. As far as I know Autism is NOT classed as a mental illness or a psychological disorder so the premise of mentioning it in respect of a family history of mental illness is false.

So while it makes sense to obtain a copy of your GP records to know what they know (if anyone requests a copy of your medical records you should have to give your consent and specify whether you want a copy of the information supplied - that is your right in law) I would advise against fretting about it or making a big deal about it. The more you get stressed about it the more others are likely to start to get stressed about you getting stressed about it.

Just chill and you will be fine.

Good luck with your application.

[abgd]

Identical twin or non-identical? Either way, you're a different person from either your twin or your younger brother and whilst there's probably an inherited component to Asperger's syndrome/Autism the fact that they have a diagnosis should have no bearing on your medical if you don't have it.

If you can rub along with people OK and remain reasonably flexible in your thinking, then I don't see that you should have a problem. If those with family or personal histories of Asperger's syndrome were denied medicals, the skies would be a lot emptier.

(Not an AME, I admit)

[Radgirl]

Aspergers is a form of autism.

The terms mental health or mental illness are poor but I would only include bipolar, schitzophrenia, and psychosis. Developmental delay and autism are separate.

So you should enter no for mental illness for yourself and could do the same for a family history of mental illness but you should add family history of autism at the end. Any genetic element to autism is poorly understood, but that is irrelevant as if you had it you would have had it from birth. You aren't going to develop it in the middle of a flight so you are not a risk.

If questioned you simply answer no to any question about whether you have had autism, developmental delay or problems at school. Volunteering that someone sometime MAY have speculated is not required unless a doctor told you that they were considering the diagnosis. If this is the case, ask your GP to confirm the hypothesis was refuted in a one line letter.

I would be very surprised if you have a problem, but you must be accurate with your statements and exclude hearsay

[speedbird_1]

Thanks for your responses guys! Since neither count as mental illnesses, should I need to declare them?

[Alchemy101]

I'm not an AME, but i'm a medical practitioner. I wouldn't be personally concerned if some of your family members had autism - doesn't mean you would be affected.

If they ask you to declare if a family member has a mental illness, I probably wouldn't declare autism or aspergers. Why? Well, in the strictest sense, mental illness usually means psychoses (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar etc) or neuroses (depression, anxiety, OCD etc) and autism doesn't belong to either class, though very often people who are autistic might have concomitant neuroses, e.g. a lot of autistic people also have obsessive compulsive disorder.

[Jodelophile]

Just to be absolutely open I would declare it but it shouldn't be a problem. Autism is a developmental disorder and could be considered a psychiatric disorder but not a mental illness.
Just because relatives have it doesn't mean you have it, even in a very mild form, and, it's not going to come on in adult life!

[speedbird_1]

Just got off the phone with my GP to assess what the situation is. She confirmed that there has been no diagnosis of asperger's or autism in my history. :D

Would it be worth even mentioning my history of language delay?

[Chris the Robot]

As someone who has the condition myself, I'm happy to add to the discussion thus far.

I haven't applied for a Class 1 yet. I do however, fly gliders and my GP signed me off, the gliding club (who know of the diagnosis) were happy to send me solo. From what I'm aware, it is possible to obtain a Class 1 even after a confirmed diagnosis, depending on the individual. Therefore, the OP's twin having it shouldn't be a problem.

I think the OP would be best off declaring it at the medical, I don't think one can be too honest really. Autism most definitely isn't a mental illness.

[speedbird_1]

Thankfully I wasn't diagnosed with autism/asperger's Chris, so I've got nothing to fear in that regard.

Glad to hear that it isn't limiting you Chris :)

[Radgirl]

Speed bird 1

My last post was succinct. I don't think anyone else has disagreed so you would be advised to follow it. Question 178 is about inherited diseases. You can answer no to all the family history questions: if you declare the autism under remarks. To not make any comment would IMHO be risking upsetting the doctor. Not a good start

In terms of your language delay, you do not need to declare if it is no longer a problem, if you continued in mainstream school and had no medical intervention. If you had medical help or attended special schools then clearly it becomes a medical condition and must be declared

As previously pointed out, we don't think you have a problem but if you try to hide the facts or seek support for manipulation you are likely to trip yourself up.