sigh.

> I see this sentiment often, but only when it comes to autism. How is this different from other disorders, disabilities, illnesses?

We have a comparative question involving a list of things, here.

Let's unroll the list and make separate comparative questions instead:

  autism. How is this different from other disorders?

This works. Autism is a disorder. It can be compared to other disorders.

  autism. How is this different from other disabilities?

This doesn't work. The comparison rests upon the implication that autism must be a disability, but that's just not absolute. It certainly can be disabling, but it often is not disabling.

  autism. How is this different from other illnesses?

This doesn't work. Autism is not an illness.