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What are your thoughts on the term "High Functioning"?

Jalapeno

I've noticed quite a few autistic people on this forum describing themselves as "high functioning." I'm genuinely interested in hearing why people choose to use this label.

Personally, I dislike it and would prefer not to see it being used.

From the outside, based on my qualifications and career, many people would probably describe me as "high functioning." Yet I still struggle with many aspects of daily life and work, and I worry the label makes those difficulties seem less significant or suggests I need little support or reasonable adjustments, which isn't the case.

I'm also not convinced that the Levels 1, 2 and 3 always solve the problem, as our support needs can vary enormously depending on the environment we're in.

I also wonder whether some people use "high functioning" simply to mean they don't have a learning disability. If so, wouldn't it be clearer just to say that?

For those who do use the term, what benefit do you feel it provides—for yourself or when explaining your autism to other people? I'm genuinely interested in hearing different perspectives.

NAS - any thoughts on running a poll on this ?

Parents

  • I have been ok if other people have used these terms.I have found them helpful. I think in some peoples cases it means that they are ASD 1 or were aspergers previously. I know people can vary and you are less likely to find someone with just one score on their sheet. However, I was diagnosed by the NHS using ADOS and they had for the all categories levels from 0-3. I found this helpful to know where I had more difficulty. It also allowed to after support by the NHS as they those who were level 2 and above to get support for category, and I got that support because of my scores.

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  • I have been ok if other people have used these terms.I have found them helpful. I think in some peoples cases it means that they are ASD 1 or were aspergers previously. I know people can vary and you are less likely to find someone with just one score on their sheet. However, I was diagnosed by the NHS using ADOS and they had for the all categories levels from 0-3. I found this helpful to know where I had more difficulty. It also allowed to after support by the NHS as they those who were level 2 and above to get support for category, and I got that support because of my scores.

Children
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