all autistic people are high function or all autistc people are low functon

Hi to everyone who has posted, my daughter was only confirmed as Autistic at the end of August, and we have never been told of a High or a low, I do not even know what the difference in terms is ability this is meant to describe.  They did tell me that there is a box for Aspergers, but they don't tick it any more, everything just goes under Autistic.  Basically I think the new way of thinking is, whether you are Autistic (whatever bracket) or have Aspergers, then no matter what differences you may or may not have, you are on the same playingfield so to speak.  you all have difficulties which require help in one form or another.

I saw alot mentioned above as 'suffering' I have never seen it that way, but as my daughter only communicates about what she wants and doesn't discuss anything about her issues or abilities, how would I know?

All I can do, is be there if she needs me and hope that as she was diagnosed at 8, she can have a better life ahead than if she had been left behind.  Then I could see the 'suffering' aspect.

Really interesting conversation, would someone describe what the High and low is? 

Thanks CJ

i know only modrate autism.

she doesnt have the abilty to talk about her suffring.

she is incapable  to  talk   about  her suffring

 we understand the  suffring by her picture.

some autistc people   have the abilty to describe thiere suffring.

autistic  try hard  struggles in life

they all all  suufring

I totally agree with that. Autism/Asperger's Syndrome is merely an aspect of an individual's personality. It can say a lot about a person, but it doesn't completely characterise who they are. And I think it is awesome to have.

Their interests in life may very well help them with any struggle that comes their way. I know my own obsessions have helped me in lots of social situations.

People who have other disabilities are not defined by them because they have their own set of traits and behaviours, so I think we should look at autism in this context.

Autism is just one aspect of a person's personality and although presenting a serious challenge, doesn't mean people on the AS aren't as diverse and wonderful as anybody else.

You can be autistic with average academic ability or a brilliant scientist or mathematician or artist, etc., so it seems very unfair to put autistic people in a box and judge them on this basis.

 Also, to harp back a bit to something I said on another post, we should never underestimate the potential of the human brain to learn and adapt, even in the face of great difficulties, and there are probably many examples of this, if one wished to research it.

Hi there,

In my own experience, Autism is a vastly varied spectrum. I have Asperger's Syndrone for instance, and though I have no qualms with giving speeches to people, and responding to communication when the opportunity arises, I do struggle with crowds, and talking to people in shops. It seems contradictory to many, but to a lot of people on the spectrum, the circumstances  matter.

My friend has really high Autism, and I can guarantee that he isn't suffering. He may be totally isolated most of the time, and need prompting to remember things like eating, but I would say that he is happy in his own world. Some are definitely suffering internally which may be concealed very well, but a lot of people on the spectrum (myself included) tend to be very vocal about "suffering".

Overall, I would say that many people on the spectrum vary greatly, and those higher up on the scale can either be happy in their own worlds or suffer for whatever reason. 

I can't really disagree with that;  I can't imagine that someone could be on the spectrum and not have struggled at some point.

Do you have autism or is this someone else you're talking about?

Maybe sometimes it's the carers that believe they're suffering but the person himself/herself is pretty okay (as okay as someone that isn't on the spectrum anyway).

My daughter has been through a lot due to social stuff, but she's now happy and healthy.  My son has struggled a bit, and continues to do so,  but he's happy 80% of the time,  and I'm happy mostly, or at least content.

I don't think it should be assumed that someone is suffering unless they communicate that to you though.

and   who  doesnt  talk  well   need s help  with  the  basics  of  life..

all  them suffring