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Jamesy
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11 May 2013, 4:47 pm

I need too learn a bit about functional levels in aspergers. Can functional levels vary over time? What causes functional problems in the brain?

The people at the job centre refer to me as disabled because I won't just go for any job and I did work experience at my previous college 3 years ago and failed terribly :( If they put me on disability suppourt etc that must mean I am lower functioning? They mention about disability after I failed one or 2 job interviews.



sixstring
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11 May 2013, 4:52 pm

I'm fairly new to this and I'm not sure about all the different levels of functioning.

However, being noted with a disability does not mean you are low functioning. For instance my verbal IQ is 118 which is almost in the gifted range, while my performal IQ is 91, in the lower spectrum of the average.
So I have a distinct disability because of this, yet I'm at a high functioning level.



Dillogic
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11 May 2013, 4:57 pm

A good majority of people with AS are on disability pensions. They're run-of-the-mill AS, which by definition is high-functioning in comparison to autism.

Too many variables to determine whether someone is "mild" or "severe" regarding AS, and by definition, one's symptoms will need to be severe to be labelled (one can work but be completely unable to interact with people, for example. You couldn't say that person was milder than someone who couldn't work but can interact somewhat).



The_Walrus
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11 May 2013, 5:23 pm

Disclaimer: I am most certainly not an expert and am just posting my understanding based on other Aspies I know and posts on here by users I respect.

Functional levels aren't perfectly related to intelligence, but there is something of a relationship.

Someone with low functioning autism probably can't do many "routine" tasks for themselves, such as washing or getting dressed (they might be able to do some of them, or they might require lots of prompting). They struggle to hold normal relationships and require a lot of slack. They will probably never be able to hold down a traditional job or even get through interviews. However, they may be intelligent and capable of expressing themselves, particularly with the held of computers.
Someone with "medium" functioning autism can probably do those tasks to a degree, though they might require prompting and might struggle with more complex tasks (like cooking). They might be able to get a job, but statistically most won't last long. They might be able to have something that resembles a friendship between NTs with other people, but will probably require more tolerance than would be afforded to an NT.
Someone with high functioning autism can probably do most routine tasks, although may require prompting on occasion (e.g. if their routine is disrupted). They might well be able to manage more complex tasks like cookery and housework. They will often pass as NT to the untrained eye, though they will often be considered somewhat eccentric or odd. Many can hold down friendships and even long term romantic relationships. Many will hold down jobs, many will be in and out of work a lot.

Functional levels can probably vary to an extent over time e.g. with the acquisition of new skills, or they could fall due to mental illnesses like depression, or stress.



Random42
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11 May 2013, 5:37 pm

It is all relative. By definition, if your dx is Asperger's you are high functioning. However, you still might be lower functioning than one aspie and higher functioning than another. Also, you might be lower functioning in one area, and higher functioning in another area. For example, I know an Aspie in real life that has a job working directly with people, and is married. I still live with my parents and could never do the kind of job she has. (My job involves working with computers and has minimal social interaction) But her social anxiety is worse than mine. Who is higher/lower functioning? It is hard to tell.


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Eloa
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11 May 2013, 5:40 pm

here is a link about labeling high and low functioning in autism:
https://www.wrongplanet.net/postp5323651.html&highlight=#5323651


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