The term 'low functioning' does not engender respect nor does it empower. And who is to say what autistic people are capable of? Non-verbal autistic people termed 'low functioning' have written books although they cannot speak. We should reject this terminology now.
I think you're misinterpreting the phrase 'low functioning'.
Would you object to the word 'autism' as well to describe people?
You have to have some way of describing behaviour and these terms are not value judgements but a way of diagnosing people. They are used as a means of trying to understand and help others.
The term 'low functioning' does not engender respect nor does it empower. And who is to say what autistic people are capable of? Non-verbal autistic people termed 'low functioning' have written books although they cannot speak. We should reject this terminology now.
I think you're misinterpreting the phrase 'low functioning'.
Would you object to the word 'autism' as well to describe people?
You have to have some way of describing behaviour and these terms are not value judgements but a way of diagnosing people. They are used as a means of trying to understand and help others.
