High Functioning Autism? (Everything YOU Need TO Know)

First off what is High Functioning Autism? Technically we don't still use the term high functioning. This type of labelling was eradicated about 5 to 6 years ago due to other people on the autism spectrum feeling that low functioning terminology was derogative to their being.

But for all intense purposes, high functioning autism is typically someone who is on the autism spectrum who has lower support needs than someone who needs a lot more support.

This could be people who have the diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome which is a term that was used to diagnose autistic individuals who had low support needs up until 2013. Then it changed to autism spectrum disorder.

We now refer to all autistic individuals as a person who has an autism spectrum disorder rather than a functioning label. However, this does cause some confusion in the ability of the third-party to understand the support level and needs of an autistic individual without labelling their ability.

I would love to know if you have any comments on this, please pop it in a comment down below.

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[zamzamp]

I used to believe in the term ‘high functioning autism’ but as a parent of two kids with what I believe is Aspergers I don’t think it’s as straightforward as that. When people used the term ‘high functioning’ it felt like it was about the person’s ability to manage daily life skills such as feeding and toileting independently. But what about those kids who would be considered ‘high functioning’ and Aspergers but they have crippling anxiety, low self-esteem, PDA etc which are basically preventing them from functioning highly? Just because they are masking their needs are being neglected.

I do agree that the idea of using ‘autism spectrum disorder’ with the levelling system means we can move the focus to what the person’s support needs are which should be the priority. However, again I think it focuses on black and white abilities of being able to function independently as being low needs, and non-verbal being high needs. It doesn’t fairly differentiate between the mental health support aspect that those with Aspergers, co-morbid ADHD etc might need as being high support needs.

[summers]

When I was diagnosed to be on the spectrum they said I was “high functioning autistic” seeing as I had a job, apartment, and could live alive and unaided if necessary
I feel the term is a bit misleading as yes I can take care of myself did dose not mean I dont need allot of help navigating social interactions or picking up social cues

[Tobecontinued-cc]

You are so up to date with yr material! I could listen to you all day…I listen because I want to know more about the functions of my college son’s brain…good stuff, as usual, thanks!

[critters]

In America I'm getting no needs met, at all
THANK YOU for all the help, truly appreciate you & all your efforts. You make a great deal of difference to many😊

[PwzoMc]

i hate being called highly funconing cus i still have asd and people acted like i didnt have it and it was ANOYING and afensive af

[AmyHelenHughes]

Thank you for this video, not just for people like myself in the autistic community, but also for people without autism, who may have a lot of misconceptions regarding it.

[aisforabibliophobia]

Quoting myself here: “In terms of autism “High functioning” does not mean “low difficulty” it means a high level of compensatory ability (which requires a lot of effort).”

So recently I plucked up the courage to talk to my employer about the condition and summarised key points such as the above in an email to do this as it’s easier than trying to explain it verbally.
I feel very strongly that I’d like to become a workplace advocate for neurodiversity as there is so little understanding.

[newell.fisher]

What I knew, as a person on the endless NHS waiting list for a diagnosis of someone on the ASD with low support needs (see what I did thar?) was that someone with ASD who is nonverbal and manages, one day, to speak a sentence, would be "high-functioning"

Your channel may well have taught me that 🙂

[anaachadinha]

Hi, for the 1st time I could hold my concentration on your very informative video. Thank you. It must be the set up and videography. I used to have anxiety issues watching your videos, camera zooming in and then out and having to deal with the busy background. Now I can watch and focus😅

[MrXMysteriousX]

Personally I think it has value and shouldn't be discarded.

Let's address the elephant in the room, some of this is in regard to hurt feelings either from do-gooders offended on someone elses behalf or people with an ASD who don't want to be different.
But the fact is, we are different and there is a point roughly where you can say one side needs help less than another.
So some well meaning person comes along and changes the words and terminologies, thinking it will remove any associated stigma or stop the hurt feelings.
But what really happens is the stigma simply transfers to the new word/s and a decade or two later someone else comes along and starts the cycle anew, medical science to political correctness is littered with this- more fluffy words that equal the same thing.

Putting aside sparing feelings, it's obviously the case that doctors and other professionals and just for general use in public a term is needed to understand at a glance how able someone is in certain situations.

It's a matter of resolution.

For a low resolution view on the topic, it has it use for explaining to the unaware or for stating to a professional within a few moments roughly someone's ability level.

Obviously there are different levels and it's a spectrum and if time permits then we should use a higher resolution look at someone's ability level- but that's not always possible.

High resolution looks at issues take considerable amounts of time and explanation.

As such, this is a term that has some use, provided it's used in the right situation.

I'm different to my nephew who is non-verbal and he can't look after himself, where as I can get by mostly.

It's not that i don't need support; i do, but clearly i'm in a better off position to my nephew who really needs lots of support.

We could think of "nice" ways of putting it but the reality is I am high functioning compared to my nephew and to an outsider who knows we are both ASD yet vastly different to each other it makes for good short hand to explain that difference.

[judyweeks]

Thank you for your ongoing informational videos.

[Butterfly-ADHD]

You are right on about diagnostic names not keeping up with the needs of the people they are meant to represent. The label should only be used to get the person in the door. Then hopefully the professionals will get to know the individual and their specific needs.

Thank you for your channel that furthers the education of many.

[olgamoriarty]

I was quite functional until my husband died. Now I'm mess, I need help and can't get it. I wasn't perfect before but I could mask and juggle to get by. I don't do well on my own. Help?

[patty_d.]

(English is not my first language so sorry) May I ask you something if it’s ok? I’m 19, a girl, and was recently diagnosed with autism. My psychiatrist said I’m high functioning autistic, then she drew a box and colored it like [min ——— max] with mine being around 10% of the box from min. My question is that in reality, autism is not a degree like that despite being a spectrum and she drew a box because it’s easier to understand that way right? I’m so confused because she used a box like that with min = can live and look like neurotypical and max = so obvious that they are autistic (which confuses me more)

[brothers]

Hi Dan. The way you describe things is logical and comforting.

[Matty]

My friend has Autism but oddly he has very good social skills and eye contact. He will often talk to strangers. I do notice vocal stimming at times, however this is possible in ADHD too so how can i tell? He is quite hyper, he talks fast and loudly he does a lot of movements like jumping etc, struggling to keep still too.

[TheChristianVisionary]

I hate being called high functioning, and I hate it even more that I feel I have to use it for ignorant people to understand. 🤦‍♀️

[pinktfatrabbit]

I only use the term when someone wants to know my diagnosis. Because that's just what it says. And taking away a person's diagnostic appointment just so I can get an up-to-date diagnosis doesn't make sense when you consider that the waiting time is 2 years.

[j.b.]

Probably the reason that professionals categorize autism with levels: -Level 1:functioning -Level 2: Functional, but needs support. -Level 3: nonfunctional

[nerozi]

Have you heard of a diagnosis of mild autism ~ I'm guessing it's a variation of aspergers or level 1?