Stop Calling Autistic People "High" or "Low Functioning"

Because our abilities don't fit neatly into your perceived assumptions

Introduction

There are two terms related to being Autistic that I dislike: “high functioning” and “low functioning”, because they shouldn’t exist. When people speak to me, they are shocked that I am Autistic because “you’re so high functioning and verbal”. I’d love for them to be there when I have a sensory overload. When the world becomes too overwhelming, I shut down. I cannot be touched. I cannot respond. I am either crying or completely dissociated from the world. If they met me then, would they say Yeah, Cat is Autistic. Would they question whether I am verbal or not? Would they assume my functioning is low? This is why I hate the terms.

High functioning

If you had some delays, it wasn’t enough to wonder if you were developmentally delayed. You were speaking around the time you were supposed to. Even if you were delayed, the time you started talking, you never stopped. You need support, but not as much support as they assume. You may be a public speaker, sharing your lived experience to help others grow. You may have multiple college degrees. You may have a full-time job, or you could be struggling. The world doesn’t understand if you are struggling to keep a job. There is a big difference between what they see and what you experience.

Low Functioning

You had delays beyond delays. Maybe you even started out hitting your milestones until it stopped, and you started to go backwards. You are seen as having a significant impairment in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. You may not be verbal or verbal in the way that society expects you to be. You may be able to move in your own world without having to mask to be one of them. If you have a meltdown or shutdown, it is expected based on how society perceives you. However, beyond their inability to see you as a stereotype. You can fully understand what is happening around you. If they gave you a chance, they may be surprised that you could communicate with your iPad.

Important Note

These terms are outdated and stigmatizing. It is essential to avoid using them and instead focus on each person as who they are. These terms are based on society's perceptions of how much we act like a neurotypical, and that is an invalid way to live. You have no idea about anyone's life based on how verbal they are or aren't, how “articulate” they are or aren’t, whether they use an iPad or sign, if they are hypo- or hyper-sensitive, or how many supports you see they need.

It is time to truly learn to understand each person as who they are, their strengths, and what they bring. No one is superior, if we are Autistic, we are Autistic. If someone wants to be called an Autistic person or a person with Autism, their experience is valid. Your neurotypical assumption or perception of us is worthless because we aren’t you; we are who we are supposed to be. No functioning terminology can explain who we are and what we can do.