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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 think that the "high functioning " is about support needs, in this case- low support needs.  It's tricky, they often change over time. Mine do. But it's very I.portant, to emphasise,  what level of support needs someone has, even if the levels are not perfect way of describing them. The spectrum is so wide, that it's absolutely necessary. I want to make it clear, that I don't need assistance 24/7, and caregivers of someone,  who does also need a simple way to describe it to institutions while asking for support. 

    I associate The term "high functioning " with a device more and not with human. But I don't get offended if someone uses it and I might have used this term myself.

Reply

  • I think that the "high functioning " is about support needs, in this case- low support needs.  It's tricky, they often change over time. Mine do. But it's very I.portant, to emphasise,  what level of support needs someone has, even if the levels are not perfect way of describing them. The spectrum is so wide, that it's absolutely necessary. I want to make it clear, that I don't need assistance 24/7, and caregivers of someone,  who does also need a simple way to describe it to institutions while asking for support. 

    I associate The term "high functioning " with a device more and not with human. But I don't get offended if someone uses it and I might have used this term myself.

Children
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