Social Security’s rules recognize a wide variety of impairments that affect multiple body systems which, if severe enough, may qualify for disability benefits with the Social Security Administration. These conditions include, but are not limited to, the following:
Non-Mosaic Down Syndrome
There are many other impairments that can cause deviation from, or interruption of, the normal function of the body or interfere with development; for example, congenital anomalies, chromosomal disorders, dysmorphic syndromes, metabolic disorders, and perinatal infectious diseases. In these impairments, the degree of deviation or interruption may vary widely from individual to individual. Therefore, the resulting functional limitations and the progression of those limitations also vary widely. For this reason, Social Security evaluates the specific effects of these impairments on you under the listing criteria in any affected body system(s) on an individual case basis. Examples of such impairments include trisomy X syndrome (XXX syndrome), fragile X syndrome, phenylketonuria (PKU), caudal regression syndrome, and fetal alcohol syndrome.
Under the Listing of Impairment, Social Security sets forth the following requirements for Non-mosaic Down Syndrome:
10.06 Non-mosaic Down syndrome, (chromosome 21 trisomy or chromosome 21 translocation), documented by:
A. A laboratory report of karyotype analysis signed by a physician, or both a laboratory report of karyotype analysis not signed by a physician and a statement by a physician that you have Down syndrome (see 10.00C1).
OR
B. A physician’s report stating that you have chromosome 21 trisomy or chromosome 21 translocation consistent with prior karyotype analysis with the distinctive facial or other physical features of Down syndrome (see 10.00C2a).
OR
C. A physician’s report stating that you have Down syndrome with the distinctive facial or other physical features and evidence demonstrating that you function at a level consistent with non-mosaic Down syndrome (see 10.00C2b).
Autism
Autistic adults have symptoms that can be either very mild or severe to the point of being debilitating. Those with autism are usually extremely attached to specific objects, get unnaturally distressed at any change in normal routine, have difficulty starting or maintaining conversations, have heightened or abnormally low senses, prefer to spend time alone, use repetitive body movements and throw aggressive tantrums when agitated.
Though many autistic adults lead typical lives, others are incapable of upholding their desired routines without the assistance of family or others. The individual symptoms of autism may include the widely known effects listed above, but can also include unique quirks of the person with the disorder. However, in general, diagnosis is made based on signs of repetitive behavior, restricted interests, and communication impairment.
Asperger’s
Asperger’s is one of a handful of developmental disorders that deal with social skills and communication, and is a milder variation of autistic disorder, affecting two out of every 10,000 children. Asperger’s syndrome is characterized chiefly by social isolation in children who fail to understand and empathize with others and frequently can’t make friends. Those with the illness have very limited interests, usually focusing on only one or two narrow topics to an obsessive extent. Their tendency to dominate conversations with discussion only about these topics is one of the more obvious social inconsistencies noticeable in the disease.
Asperger’s affects the child’s ability to speak with a normal comprehension, often straying in and out of topic and never reaching a point or even explaining the conversation’s base logic. The illness blocks the child’s ability to comprehend whether or not the listener is interested in the subject, and the ability to understand much humor is lost. Physical clumsiness is also common. Causes for why Asperger’s syndrome occurs are debatable, though it is most likely a genetic disorder.