Can an autism diagnoses count as a disability?

[xmasbaby0]

What are you trying to do?   Are you referring to a child?  Or an adult dependent?   Yourself?   There are no federal credits or deductions for disabilities except for a higher standard deduction if you are legally blind.

If you have a disabled child who is older than 12 and you need to pay someone to take care of your disabled child so you can work, you can still get the child and dependent care credit.   Or if your disabled child is older than 19 you can still claim them as a qualified child dependent.

Or...are you paying for special accomodations for school-----if so you could enter that as a medical expense.

It would help if you would provide some details so we understand why you are asking.

[Bsch4477]

That issue is addressed well here:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/is-child-with-autism-conside...

[jeaster318]

@xmasbaby0 

I am updating the information for one of my dependents. My child is 2 and was diagnosed with level 3 autism last year. I wanted to make sure I filled out his information correctly.
He has several therapy sessions, however his insurance covers the cost. I do not pay for any special accommodations and he is not receiving SSI payments.

Hope that information helps. 

[xmasbaby0]

Okay that helps.   There is no tax benefit or credit for claiming on a federal return that your two year old child is disabled at this time.   As stated earlier, if the time comes when your child is older than 12, you would be able to use the childcare credit longer than the usual age 12--but that is a long way off.   If therapy, etc is covered by insurance, then you do not need to enter anything about this as a medical expense.

Your state laws might be different, if you live in a state with a state income tax.