Can You Join The Army With Autism: The Complete UK Guide

Wondering if can you join the army with autism? Many people with autism spectrum disorder have a strong interest in a military service career but aren’t sure if it’s possible.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the British army recruitment policies, medical requirements, and recent changes that might affect your application.

Key Takeaways

• Current British Military Autism Policies: Learn about the existing medical requirements for joining the UK armed forces and how they specifically relate to autism spectrum disorder.
• Recent Changes and Initiatives: Discover how the British army is working to improve recruitment and create more opportunities for autistic people.
• Application Process and Assessment: Get practical advice on the recruitment journey, including medical assessments and how your diagnosis might be evaluated.

The Current Rules on Autism in the British Military

The UK armed forces have specific medical requirements that all applicants must meet. Historically, there has been what some call a blanket ban on recruiting people with certain psychiatric conditions, including autism spectrum disorder.

According to the current British military regulations, having a diagnosis of autism or ADHD has typically been a barrier to entry. This is because the armed forces require all soldiers to be able to function in highly stressful and unpredictable environments, which may be particularly challenging for some people with autism.

The British army, like the other three services (Royal Navy and Royal Air Force), follows the Joint Service Publication 950, which outlines medical standards for service. This document classifies certain mental health issues as potentially incompatible with military life. The National Autistic Society notes that these policies can present significant barriers for autistic individuals seeking military careers.

Recent Changes and Hope for Inclusion

There have been some promising recent initiatives to promote inclusivity in the British military. The armed forces have recognised that many autistic people possess valuable technical skills and abilities that could benefit the military.

In March 2023, the Ministry of Defence announced it was reviewing some of its policies around medical conditions including autism or ADHD. This comes as the army continues to face recruitment challenges, with reports suggesting that would-be recruits drop out of the process due to lengthy delays and strict medical rules.

According to NHS research, there has been a push for a more nuanced approach to assessing individuals, rather than applying a blanket ban based solely on a diagnosis. This reflects a growing medical understanding of autism spectrum disorder as a condition with a wide range of manifestations and abilities.

Can You Actually Join With an Autism Diagnosis?

The short answer is: it depends on your individual circumstances. Having autism doesn’t automatically mean you cannot join the British army, but it does make the process more complicated.

Currently, if you have a formal diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, you will likely need to:

1. Disclose this in your medical records during application
2. Undergo additional medical assessments
3. Possibly receive a waiver or exception depending on severity and specific role

The army recruitment process will look at:

Here’s that information formatted into a table:

Factor	How It’s Assessed
Severity of autism	Medical evaluation by military medical professionals
Functional impact	How your autism affects daily functioning and potential military life
Specific job role	Some roles may be more suitable for autistic people with particular skills
Support needs	Whether you require accommodations incompatible with service

It’s worth noting that high functioning autism or what was previously called Asperger’s syndrome may be viewed differently than more significant support needs.

The Application Process for Autistic Applicants

If you’re interested in joining the British army and have autism, here’s what you should know about the application process:

First, you’ll need to apply online and complete initial screening questions. At this stage, you should be honest about your diagnosis as this will come up in medical records checks later anyway.

The army recruitment team will then arrange for you to have a medical assessment. This is where your autism will be formally assessed in the context of military suitability.

The medical team will be looking at several factors:

1. Your ability to cope with the stresses of military service
2. How your autism might affect your performance in training and operations
3. Any health problems that might be exacerbated by military conditions
4. Your communication skills and ability to work in teams

It’s important to remember that each case is assessed individually, and there’s always an element of doubt until the full assessment is complete.

Autism and Specific Military Roles

Some military roles might be more suitable for people with autism spectrum disorder than others. The British military encompasses a wide range of jobs, not all of which involve direct combat.

Autistic people often have valuable skills that can be assets in certain roles:

• Analytical thinking and pattern recognition (intelligence analysis)
• Attention to detail (technical maintenance)
• Focus on specific tasks (natural language processing, cyber security)
• Technical aptitude (engineering, communications)

If you’re considering joining with autism, it might be worth looking into roles that play to these strengths. The army continues to need specialists in many technical fields where the unique cognitive style associated with autism might be advantageous.

Historical Context and Changes in Policy

The relationship between autism and military service has evolved over time. During periods of national service in the UK, which ended in 1960, many men with undiagnosed autism served successfully.

Today, with better understanding and formal diagnoses, policies have become more explicit. However, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, there’s growing recognition that blanket exclusions may not serve the armed forces well, especially as recruitment targets become challenging to meet.

A defence insider was quoted in 2022 saying there had been discussions about changing the approach to certain psychiatric conditions including autism to help address shortfalls in recruitment. The British Medical Journal has published research supporting more individualized assessments for neurodiverse candidates.

Some other countries, including Israel, have special units specifically designed to harness the unique abilities of autistic recruits, particularly in intelligence roles. While the UK doesn’t currently have such programmes, there are calls for similar initiatives.

Personal Stories and Experiences

Many autistic people have shared their experiences of trying to join the army. These stories highlight the variability in how the rules are applied and the importance of individual assessment.

One common theme is that those diagnosed as adults after already serving successfully point to the arbitrary nature of some exclusions. They argue that their autism didn’t prevent them from being effective soldiers before their diagnosis.

Others share stories of being rejected during the recruitment process despite feeling they could contribute effectively. This has led to calls for the current rules to be reconsidered with a more nuanced approach to autism joining the forces.

Some autistic veterans have noted that certain aspects of military life actually suited them well:

• Clear structure and hierarchy
• Explicit rules and protocols
• Defined roles and responsibilities
• Practical skills-based training

This suggests that with the right placement and support, autistic people could thrive in certain military environments.

Alternatives to Regular Service

If you’re set on serving but face barriers to joining the regular forces, there are alternatives to consider:

1. Territorial Army/Army Reserve – Sometimes the medical standards can be slightly different
2. Civil Service roles supporting the Ministry of Defence
3. Defence contractor positions where specific technical skills are valued
4. Volunteer roles supporting veterans and service personnel

These pathways might offer ways to contribute to national defence without having to meet all the medical requirements of front-line service.

Advocacy and Future Changes

Advocacy groups are working to challenge the current rules around autism and military service. They argue that blanket exclusions represent outdated thinking about neurodiversity and fail to recognise the potential contributions of autistic people.

The Nuffield Trust and other organisations have highlighted that with recruitment challenges facing the armed forces, there’s a strong case for reviewing policies around health conditions including autism spectrum disorder.

Recent reports from the Defence Select Committee suggest there could be a cent increase in successful applications if certain medical requirements were adjusted to take a more case-by-case approach, rather than applying category-based exclusions.

As medical understanding of autism continues to evolve, it’s likely that policies will adapt further, potentially opening more opportunities for autistic people who wish to serve. The MIND charity has been advocating for greater mental health awareness and inclusion within military settings.

Overall

Joining the British army with autism remains challenging under current rules, but there are signs of positive change. The growing recognition of neurodiversity and the valuable skills that autistic people can bring is slowly influencing policy.

While a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder does present obstacles to military service, it’s worth engaging with the recruitment process if you’re determined to serve. Individual assessments mean there’s always a possibility of success depending on your specific circumstances.

The armed forces are increasingly recognising that in a modern military, diverse thinking and specialist skills are valuable assets. According to Armed Forces Covenant research, as policies evolve, we may see more opportunities for autistic people to serve their country in meaningful ways.

If you’re considering applying, seek current advice directly from military careers offices, be honest about your diagnosis, and focus on highlighting the strengths and abilities that would make you an asset to the British military. The British Army website provides up-to-date information on entry requirements and career paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific autism traits might prevent someone from joining the army?

Traits that might be considered incompatible with military service include significant sensory sensitivities, difficulty adapting to changing situations, and challenges with social communication that could affect team cohesion. However, each case is assessed individually based on severity and impact.

Can you join the army with ADHD and autism together?

Having both ADHD and autism can make qualification more difficult, as each presents its own challenges in a military context. However, some would-be recruits with both conditions have been successful, particularly if symptoms are well-managed and mild.

Does the blanket ban on autism apply to all three services?

The three services (Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force) follow similar medical standards, but there can be slight variations in how these are applied. The Royal Air Force, for instance, may have stricter requirements for certain roles due to the nature of their operations.

What medical documentation should I prepare if I have autism and want to join?

You should gather a comprehensive record of your diagnosis, any treatment or support you’ve received, statements from medical professionals about your functional abilities, and evidence of achievements that demonstrate your capabilities despite your diagnosis.

Are there any success stories of autistic people in the UK military?

Yes, there are individuals who have served successfully either before being diagnosed or after receiving a diagnosis later in their career. These cases are often used to advocate for policy changes, showing that autism doesn’t necessarily prevent effective military service.

How does the UK approach compare to other countries’ military policies on autism?

The UK’s approach is relatively strict compared to some other nations. Israel, for example, has special units that actively recruit autistic people for their unique skills, particularly in intelligence analysis. The US military has also shown some flexibility in certain cases, particularly for highly specialized roles.

Can an autism diagnosis after joining the army affect my service?

If you’re diagnosed with autism after already serving, this doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be discharged. The military will assess how your condition affects your performance and may allow you to continue serving if you’ve demonstrated an ability to meet the demands of your role.

What recent initiatives has the British Army introduced for neurodiversity?

The British army has begun to explore more inclusive approaches to neurodiversity, including reviewing medical standards and considering the specific skills that neurodiverse individuals bring. There have also been recent initiatives to improve understanding of conditions like autism among military recruiters and leadership.