Why I hate the High-Functioning Label

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It doesn't matter, because, the life I live and the pain I go through is also mimicked.

I don't like this label either (don't like any label in general actually). For "high-functioning" autistic people, it hides their difficulties while, for "low-functioning" autistic people, it hides their abilities. I don't even see the point of saying "okay this one is high-functioning", what does that even mean? Everyone is different at the end of the day. Why someone who has a 69 IQ would be considered low-functioning and someone who has a 70 IQ would be considered high-functioning? (I don't even really believe in the accuracy of IQ tests anyway) Labels are all just arbitrary.

Specifically the "labels are all just arbitrary". I disagree. If you were true to that, you wouldnt call yourself male in your profile. Labels are generally identifiers. If you never used labels, you probably wouldnt have a personality or an identity. Labels are like many things to be used in moderation. You shouldn't go overboard on them but you cannot say that you dont need them, because you most definitely rely on them otherwise you wouldn't be neurodiverse and then this forum would have no purpose.

Your complaints don't make any sense to me.

I'm HFA. The A for autistic indicates that I am disabled. But the HF part indicated that I am high functioning compared to others with that disability. So that makes it "sound" like I am less disabled than others, but not quite normal. And that's pretty much what I am. Shrug. So what the hell else would call it? Works for me.

I am truly happy for you that you are doing well. I really sincerely am. But for some of us it really does define us and it limits us tremendously. I know it does for me anyway. I am not making excuses, it really does and always has no matter how hard I try to not let it.

As my user name says it autism is PART of me. I did well career wise for a good period of time back when group work and people skills were less valued. Because I was undiagnosed and unaware I was fighting and many ways overcoming what I thought was my personality defects. Even at that time I was partially working with my “personality” by choosing small companies and avoiding jobs requiring “extroversion” such as sales. By ones 50’s many naturally slow down. This natural process combined with unknowingly fighting myself lead to burnout.

I am not saying nor at all discouraging autistic people from seeking and obtaining success in their career and personal lives. I am not saying do not learn and use “NT” skills. What I am saying is making ones life goals to “overcome/fight” who you are which as far as we know at this point will always be autistic is problematic. I am advocating working with your autism as much as possible. Using “NT” skills is great and long as one does so with the understanding that they they are tools used to obtain things and do not define who one is.

Thank you for explaining what you mean. Now that I understand what you are saying I see that I clearly misunderstood what you wrote earlier. What you are saying now makes sense to me and resonates well with me. Thank you for breaking it down.

I completely agree. It's so annoying when people say to me "Oh you must be so high functioning." I'm honestly done with functioning labels. I'd rather psychologists just described each autistic person's individual strengths and weaknesses when diagnosing them instead of pigeon-holing them with functioning labels.

Love this. I totally agree and feel the same way about own situation.

I agree wholeheartedly

SkiBum says it well. Thanks.

I don't really see myself as high functioning at all to be honest. I wouldn't say I'm low functioning but maybe about semi to somewhat functional.