Low and high end of the autistic spectrum

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Low-functioning means you have difficulty functioning.

You would have to see autism as a continuum rather than a spectrum in order to have a low and a high end actually. I think of a spectrum as different colors that ar enot higher or lower in themselves, so different shade sof autism. I also do not believe in a continuum of autism, sinc epeople fu nction at different levels in different respects. This is not saying ther eis no difference between someone who is severely impaired in almost every area and someone who has veyr mild AS. There just isn't a single continuum.

I asked a similar question earlier in the week about how various levels of severity and dysfunction would be differentiated in the DSM-5. Comparing a spectrum, which is a graph-type arrangement, vs a continuum, which is a timeline type layout, helped me a great deal. I imagine a graph where the vertical axis would measure one thing, such as demonstrated intelligence or autistic traits, and the horizontal axis would measure maybe disability or severity of symptoms, or even testing scores. And the point at which they cross for you is your measurement.

Another idea is a type of color wheel thing where the wheel is divided into official traits -- communication, movements, socialization -- and concentric rings measure the disability/severity in that area. I think I like the graph idea better, because my other idea would literally put each person in a box on the wheel.

Hmm...am I overthinking this? I wouldn't be a bit surprised....

Yes, I would agree with that, I think you're right and that's what autism is like.

Correct...

I also think of a low and high end of other spectra, such as the electromagnetic spectrum, which has red at the low end of the visible part, and violet at the high end. They are not literally low or high, but that is one way they are commonly referred to.

As described by Wikipedia: "A spectrum ... is a condition that is not limited to a specific set of values but can vary infinitely within a continuum."

I do agree though that autism doesn't fit neatly into a spectrum/continuum. Particular traits of autism would, however.

You are right.

As I know it, LFA - low functioning = severe

Me as HFA - high functioning = mild etc