Term 'high-functioning autism' should be scrapped

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I agree with Kraftie, as usual.

I'm a textbook example of a high-functioning person on the spectrum. It's not just about how you are when you have a meltdown. It's about your general day to day living and ALSO your cognitive skills and functioning.

For example, I was the complete opposite to someone I knew of as a teenager (a friend's brother). He had severe autism. He was non-verbal, had to have noise-cancelling earphones on constantly, had extreme meltdowns when his comfort zone changed, was literally in diapers, had no social skills or self-awareness, and went part-time to a special school (he couldn't handle being around any people for too long, even other autistics). Now he's in a care home for mentally disabled adults.
I'm not saying every low-functioning autistic has those exact symptoms but he is still a classic example of a severely autistic person.
I'm a high-functioner, even at 3 years of age I had more social skills than this guy does as an adult. I've always been verbal, expressive, chatty, have sense of humour, desire to socially interact, and can mask my symptoms and adapt to the NT world. Now I'm in a job that I like and I live with my boyfriend, and I am independent. If I have one of my depressive episodes (maybe they're 'shutdowns', I'm not sure), I am aware that I'm feeling this way, and can confide in other people about it, and can still force myself to go to work and pay the bills. The only time I can't face going out to accomplish everyday essentials is if I am grieving for a recently lost loved one, but then that is normal (that's why workplaces have 'compassionate leave'). And I like to be surrounded by other close people also affected by the loss.

So basically I am a perfect example of a high-functioning Aspie, and again, I'm not saying all high-functioners have those precise symptoms but it still describes high-functioning.

There, I hope I have got through to some people who are really against the autism spectrum being a spectrum.

Many people who have strokes that affect their dominant side often struggle with their activities of daily living. Simple things like buttoning their shirt suddenly become very difficult. Going to the toilet is hard if you don't have enough balance to walk.

I had heard of 'IADLs'.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Activit ... ily_living

Cleaning and maintaining the house

I have a cleaner come in twice a week. At my previous place I had no such help
and struggled unsuccessfully to keep the place clean.

Managing money

I'm quite good at that. I'm not in debt. Some months I spend more than in other months .

Moving within the community

No physical problems apart from my lower back hurting. That may be due to being quite obese. Cognitive issues restrict me more ie poor sense of direction . I have a very limited area I can walk in. Outside of that My stepdaughter or granddaughters accompany me.

Preparing meals

Difficulty peeling and cutting veg. Can't cope with recipes with more complex instructions .

Shopping for groceries and necessities

My stepdaughter(mainly) or a granddaughter takes me grocery shopping. She guides me round the aisles , and packs the groceries at the checkout. If I go to the local,smaller,supermarket it's to get a few items but not to do a big shop.

Taking prescribed medications

Not good at that. It was one of the reasons I was switched from an oral antipsychotic to a long acting injection.
My stepdaughter has arranged for my oral meds to be put in dosette boxes.

Using the telephone or other form of communication

Fairly ok at that. Don't tend to take the initiative though when making calls .

The fact of the matter is that there is a huge spectrum, and when it comes to talking about the subject and helping individuals it is necessary to address this fact.

You can get rid of terms like Aspergers, HFA, etc, but a new word or category will be made to replace it in short time.

I think the best way to help people anywhere on the ASD spectrum who need it is to do more serious research on ASD and better educate health providers and policy makers.

Very good point! At very least, the term 'High Functioning Autism' - HFA as an acronym must be applied carefully. Many people who thoughtfully apply the acronym HFA have a reasonable understanding of the Autism Spectrum.

Well, that clears it up. (!) I still wouldn't know what it mean out of context. Playing the violin?

The more I'm struggling, the more skills go out the window. If I'm doing well, I can do most of these things, if not I struggle with everything from remembering to shower or eat to being unable to communicate. I find it hard to even get out words when I'm not doing well. It's a confusing split, because when I'm doing well I mostly look fairly normal (people would notice I'm a bit odd, but wouldn't necessarily think *aspergers*), but when I'm under any stress I am like a different person.

Cleaning and maintaining the house
I'm capable of this, but I don't have a routine with it. Sometimes I skip it due to laziness, and sometimes I just don't notice mess, but I do not live in a 'pigsty', and I won't allow myself to either.

Managing money

I've been saving sensibly since I left school, so I do have over a couple of grand in my bank. So all my bills and rent gets paid and I still have enough left over to do what I like with. But I think I would get anxious if I only had a tiny amount left each month to spend on groceries or new shoes, etc. But I suppose after being shown how to manage that way, I think I would get used to it and be able to manage.

Moving within the community

I can get about, use buses independently, walk places, do clothes shopping, go to the bank, etc.

Preparing meals

I'm not the best cook in the world, and I'll rather someone else cook for me. It's mostly because I find it hard to focus or remember, and I get anxious about food-poisoning, so I tend to overcook everything meaty to reassure myself that it's well done. Also I find following the instructions on the packets hard. I wish things had a little symbol next to certain cooking/storing rules that tell you how important it is. Some warnings make it sound like you will die or be severely ill if you don't follow them, when sometimes it just means the flavour may be spoiled but is otherwise harmless.


Shopping for groceries and necessities

I can do grocery shopping (or any type of shopping) on my own. I do avoid going shopping when it's too crowded, but I can still do it if I had no choice, just with greater anxiety. I don't think I could do a big shop once a week, because it's too much maths involved when you have to work out the dates on certain foods. But, again, I might adapt to this method if practised, but right now I just go to the supermarket a few times a week when I feel we need a stock-up.

Taking prescribed medications

I can take my medication every night without being reminded. I mark down on a calendar when I need new prescription each month, to keep me up to date, as the weeks and months go by so quickly.


Using the telephone or other form of communication

I don't like making calls, but if I have to I can do it. Unless it involves too much maths. My brain shuts down with math-related things.


I don't need to be reminded or assisted with eating, washing, dressing or any other necessary everyday tasks. Even if I'm overly anxious or stressed, I can still automatically do these things without a problem.

What does one mean by "high functioning"?
1. Average to above average IQ?
2. Literal Ability to function in society?

Both definitions do not take into account that often autistics can function in some ways that most can not while at the same time can not do functional things most people can do.

If doctors were more like me they could quickly thumb through a 20 page document not need labels.

What's the distinction between that and ADL? I've actually never heard this before.

ADLs are more “basic” than IADLs. They involve, mostly, personal hygiene, dressing, feeding yourself. Meeting your most basic means in general.

IADL skills involve things like budgeting your money, shopping, interpersonal relationships. More complex skills than ADL skills.

I must confess that when I first heard the term (probably quite a few years ago now), I thought that it referred to a more severe form of autism (as in the condition itself was 'high-functioning', as opposed to the individual).

Being labeled as HFA is maybe going to be the only hope I have of getting a job. I want a job. A job makes my mind and body tired and I need that.

If they struggle with daily living, they are not high functioning. II wouldn't call an allistic person high functioning either if they were also struggling with daily living.

That would be me. Never had daily living issues. I did have language issues but never issues with daily living. Even when I was two, I was already picking up after myself and at age 3, I was folding clothes and helping myself to water or whatever in the fridge because I always kept water in this bear shaped water bottle. I was even drinking out of a normal cup when I was two and using silverware.