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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 it's probably just replaced the term 'Asperger's' (spelling?), due to that being (rightly) phased out due to its background.

    Fwiw I dont like that it's degrades from what likely remains a high level of need, but accept that there are autistic people out there whose needs are far more severe and require much more support... I think some form of separation is useful, but wonder if the terminology could be improved. 

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  • I think it's probably just replaced the term 'Asperger's' (spelling?), due to that being (rightly) phased out due to its background.

    Fwiw I dont like that it's degrades from what likely remains a high level of need, but accept that there are autistic people out there whose needs are far more severe and require much more support... I think some form of separation is useful, but wonder if the terminology could be improved. 

Children
  • in reply to Acquiesce
    Acquiesce said:
    I think it's probably just replaced the term 'Asperger's'

    Just to clarify, "high functioning" has never been a diagnostic term, either before or after Asperger's was used.

    Acquiesce said:
    due to that being (rightly) phased out due to its background.

    Also, just for info, Asperger's was removed from the diagnostic manuals for clinical reasons (because it was recognised as being part of the autism spectrum, with no need for a separate term) - not because of the historical facts that came to light about Hans Asperger.