• Replies 27 replies
  • Subscribers 72 subscribers
  • Views 481 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

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 don't like it, but it's necessary. Peoples perception of the word autism greatly differ, and the older the person, the more autism is seen as (their words not mine/paraphrasing) non verbal and "slow". Likewise the older the person the more likely they are to have a position of power and I've heard everything from "How can you talk if you have autism?" to "I wouldn't employ an autistic person but am doing so as my nephew is", and I'll back that one up, a manager told me that at Poundstretcher at my very first job some ten years ago.

    It's why I tend to use the term "Aspergers" (which I detest with every fibre of my being) around new people as well. Maybe down south and in more affluent areas the perception is different but from my experience using the term "high functioning" makes them think you're the "nerdy" style of autism ala Sheldon Cooper (and I also detest big bang theory as well).

  • in reply to DarkElf

    Oh good, someone else who detests the big bang theory, I don't like any of those nerdy post irony "comedies".

    I don't think it makes any difference where you are geographically, people are either rude or not bothered.

Reply Children
No Data