New research shows 'high functioning' is an inaccurate autism label

'High functioning' is a term commonly used to describe people diagnosed with autism without an intellectual disability.

Every psychologist and neuroscientist knows this

Post-doctoral researcher Dr Gail Alvares said while 'high functioning' is used to describe people diagnosed with autism who have IQs in the normal range, it does not indicate their functional status.

Every psychologist and neoruscientist knows this.

However, despite the term's prevalence in medical journals and everyday use, new research shows the term can be misleading and advocates have called for its use to be dropped.

It is misleading because laypeople do not know that psychologists and scientists are referring to IQ only

A new study has found labelling children with autism 'high functioning' can be misleading.

It is misleading because laypeople do not know that psychologists and scientists are referring to IQ only

Researchers don't necessarily conceptualise and understand the conditions they study in the way those of us who have those conditions might want them to. They are prone to inaccurate language and even perpetuating stereotypes (of course any diagnostic criteria is basically a stereotype which is hopefully refined over time to be more accurate).

It's also not true that every researcher in psychology knows anything about autism beyond the layperson. People have very niche research areas.

It's important that the language used is clear to anyone who might use it e.g. educators, doctors, autistic people. I think the idea of "functioning" does need to be retired for something clearer.

Researchers don't necessarily conceptualise and understand the conditions they study in the way those of us who have those conditions might want them to. They are prone to inaccurate language and even perpetuating stereotypes (of course any diagnostic criteria is basically a stereotype which is hopefully refined over time to be more accurate).

It's also not true that every researcher in psychology knows anything about autism beyond the layperson. People have very niche research areas.

It's important that the language used is clear to anyone who might use it e.g. educators, doctors, autistic people. I think the idea of "functioning" does need to be retired for something clearer.