#low functioning

[pixierainbows]

wish for smart autism people to STOP saying things like "most autism people actually smart ! ". is not true! is just so erase big part of autism community ! of people like Pixie, and intellectual disability autism people !

STOP say , is not okay ! people like Pixie, people with intellectual disability , are BIG part of autism community ! we deserve be part of own community !

STOP try push out of community, is ableism !

[clown-around-and-find-out]

everyone is all about autism acceptance until they meet an autistic they can't infantilize

[vampjasper]

A sentiment I see sometimes, mostly in the high masking level 1 LSN autistic community, is the disdain for all labels about how impaired you are, especially the autism levels and support needs.

A lot of what I see is people saying they're bad, there's no need for them and that they have no use, that they're basically functioning labels and ableist, that we shouldn't be comparing ourselves and each other, and that they somehow don't include high masking people.

None of these things are true, they ignore the fact that often these labels are self-identifiers, and honestly, I think when having discussions on terminology like autism levels and support needs, the voices of levels 2-3 and HrSN people need to be centred. We're the people who need these terms, we're the people who often depend on them to actually communicate our needs, so when people go around saying these terms are bad without having so much as an afterthought about us it is really upsetting and hurtful.

I've seen people say we don't need the terms because we can just explain the supports we need as if it was so easy to do so. Many of us have such complex needs that trying to explain them all the time isn't possible.

[spooksforsammy]

Saw really wrong statement so need get out.

Low functioning autistics do exist. High functioning autistics exist too. It an identify, and for some a diagnosis. You might not like term, or want used on self, but to say no one is functioning label is wrong.

Know others who call self low functioning n know some who use high functioning. Know some who use severe autism and special needs. Know some who hate those and only use autism/ support labels. That’s fine! It’s how identify self.

No the world shouldn’t determine worth based off how much can do. But some of us have accepted not able do much for society. Accepted fact can’t function how society wants. That ok.

Please don’t say (low/ high) functioning autistics don’t exist. Because then forget n block out so many of use that do exist

[chronicsymptomsyndrome]

Idk if this is controversial but “high/low support needs” doesn’t feel any better to me than “high/low functioning” my brain processes them as the same sentiment. Idk if I’m the only one? Obviously I don’t personally know every autistic ever, but in my experience both firsthand and through six years of community research, it seems to me that support needs/function levels tend to fluctuate throughout a persons life. And it’s all relative. And I think that applies to humans regardless of neurotype, not just autistics. Maybe I’m wrong, I’m not all-knowing, that’s just what makes sense to me.

EDIT: If you see things differently that is valid. If you personally identify with support needs labels that is valid. If they help you navigate the world and your place in it, that is valid. Just like its valid for me to feel extremely uncomfortable and often triggered by them. Don’t try to tell me its not. Again, this is just what makes sense to me. Thanks.

[cr-pplepunx]

i cut off a friend because they reposted something that used unemployment as an insult. the sentiment was along the lines of "you still cant get a job". i tried to inform them but they said that im just being ridiculous and insecure, as well as drawing a boundary that it isnt okay to tell them that something they said was ableist.

today they informed me that they have no intention of apologizing because they know for a fact that it wasnt ableist. they believe they have authority over whether it qualifies as ableism because they are autistic and mentally ill. however, they are low-support needs and able to maintain a fulltime job and relationship without detriment to their hygeine or health. personally, i think that since im unemployed and low functioning my voice should maybe take precedence in this kind of conversation. but maybe im missing something with that mindset, so i wanted to see what the internet thinks.

please only vote if you are disabled. reblogs for sample size are highly appreciated <3

[youdontlookautistic]

Autistics and the terms 'low and high functioning' vs my preferred replacement 'low and high support needs.'

Been thinking over why these terms don't work for me specifically, not just because the terms stem from a Nazi dude. Why does it feel invalidating when I hear someone ask if I'm a low or high functioning autistic?

As it stands I do not function well on a day to day basis. This is because I don't have what I need to be able to do that. My executive dysfunction is at a high. This has not always been the case. I've run my own business successfully for over twelve years, I've had stability and a family and a career and all of that. Then the support disappeared, carpet ripped out from under me, I was left on my own and I crashed and hated I couldn't get on top of my life and didn't understand why. Because I spent many years living and working and passing as neurotypical.

The concept of the statement "you are low functioning" negates all context and pigeonholes me. It gives the impression my function doesn't fluctuate.

1. Anyone would be low functioning if they experienced discrimination, lack of understanding, and lack of support.

2. If I announce myself as low function, I'm trying to convey information as fast as possible. Assuming someone is set at their function level allows no flexibility or space to recognize otherwise.

3. Function is specific to the situation, as a reflection of the persons support and capability. In some areas I'm more than functional, I excel.

It just feels like the term puts me in a category that I can't be because that category fluctuates. I don't go into a job interview saying "I'm a low functioning autistic." I mean I could if I wanted to get the door shut in my face.

But by stating that then I'm projecting an expectation for them and that is, by its nature, a lie.

Example: Anyone on the edge of homelessness, who experienced abuse, and lives in poverty would be at a 'low function' state when applying for said job. But that job would supply the support that person needs to be 'high functioning.' So does anyone in an interview ever say that? No. Because it's generally understood that, given the right support, stability follows. Function follows.

On the other side:

Stating I'm a high support needs person is more accurate. It immediately establishes the question "What do you need to be able to live at the same functional level as others?" it doesn't diminish my function or ability, it acknowledges that with the right support the function works just fine.

Cars run on all different kinds of fuel. Because one runs on petrol, and the other electricity, doesn't mean one is less functional than the other. It provides the same function with different fuel. The question is "What kind of gas does it take, and how much?"

It starts with talking to me like an equal, not 'less or more' able to function. It starts with the expectation that I function fine, and explores what I need to be that way. As with anyone.

And also in doing so, eliminates any positions for being taken advantage of. Trauma and abuse happens to disabled people constantly. By using language and verbiage that lifts us up is vital.

There's a lot of other history out there regarding these terms and I'm always learning so much. But I wanted to figure this out for myself, why it made me so uncomfortable to hear. Well, now I know!

[do-angels-dream-of-starry-seas]

So I'm going to be stepping on toes, but I feel like this is something that has to be said:

When I say you cannot use "low functioning" or "high functioning", I'm not saying this as "oh that terms demeaning" (even if I do think so).

I'm saying I don't think it's possible to ever be able to reclaim those terms, as they were originally used by a nazi collaborator to do eugenics.

The last time I said this, I had autistic people who used those terms tell me off - but are you Jewish? Do you actually understand the history of the language you're using?

If anything, the only people I would trust on their opinion of these terms is from Jewish autistic people, and everyone else - low to high support needs - should listen as well

[redtail-lol]

The statements

"Functioning labels have done and continue to do harm to autistic people, especially those with higher support needs, and as such allistics should not call people by these labels, and autistic people should not call others by these labels unless they know the individual prefers them"

And

"Functioning labels have done and continue to do harm to autistic people and as such they can be reclaimed by autistic individuals to use for themselves"

AND

"Some autistic people feel that functioning labels are inaccurate for their experiences, and others feel they accurately describe the way they feel, sometimes even moreso than support needs labels."

Can all coexist

[pixierainbows]

30daysofautismacceptance

April 16th: Is loneliness or a sense of isolation something you either currently or in the past struggled with? Is it related to being autistic? What types of things helped you deal with it?

It can get very very isolating , yes . especially with how so many level 1 / low support needs / high functioning / verbal autism people , people in autism community , in own community , what should understand , still reject higher support needs autism people like Pixie .

Pixie grateful to be the kind of autism not feel strong need for community and relationships . AND . that Pixies guardians make sure Pixie have enough social activities with both other disabled and not disabled people .

[agrebel18]

I was looking through some old things of mine from when I went to occupational therapy and happened to find a pamphlet for “curing autism” and that filled me with so many emotions at the same time, like damn I know that lots of people want people like me and people that are similar to stop existing but it Started Hitting Me..... wow.

[foxgrove-collective]

can someone explain this to me? not understand

-crow

i don't care if it's nazis, mormons, or a bunch of misguided autistic people. if anyone ever tries to tell you your soul is from another planet and you're actually part of the class of impressive people that secretly did everything cool in the world but is now extinct and lives on through your broken genome, you RUN. YOU WILL RUN AWAY. YOU WILL SPRINT FULL SPEED AWAY FROM THAT.

[cr-pplepunx]

[id: a cropped screenshot of a snapchat message replying to another. the blue message reading "You are not going to sit here and tell me im saying ableist things. That is not okay". the red message (me) responging "im sorry, i thought you meant it when you said i should call you out if youre ever unknowingly perpetuating ableism. what isnt okay is telling a marginalized person theyre being ridiculous when calling out rhetoric that actively harms their community." end id]

nah because what in the actual fuck. i told them its ableist to use unemployment as an insult even if youre using it towards an abled person. i explained calmly and clearly when they didnt understand.

and they respond with telling me that i am being ridiculous, that it isnt okay to call out ableism (despite their previous conflicting statements), and that i am only saying this because i am insecure about being unemployed!

what an ableist assumption. im not insecure about being unemployed. if i respect anything about myself, its my disability. but even if i was insecure about that, it wouldnt make using unemployment as an insult any less ableist and would only be a very low blow.

this is someone who i have always seen as very kind and respectful. theyve always delonstrated an interest in being an ally to disabled people. they called me their best friend.

but i had to block them today, because i just cannot agree to disagree on this and i just cannot beg them to believe me about my own marginalization.

this fucking sucks!

[divinefem333]

Bullies Are Insecure. You Remind Them of What They Lack.

[autisticwriter]

Part 53: High- And Low-Functioning Autism

Hello, and welcome back to The Autistic Writer. I hope you’re well. I’ve mentioned in the last couple of blogs that I’ve been having a struggle with my health. It’s been a difficult and frustrating time. I have absolutely no reason to think it’s anything life-threateningly serious, and so it feels a bit weird saying I’m struggling. But I can only deal with the situation I have, and it’s making me…

[rei-ismyname]

Try and eject any shame you might be feeling too. You're practicing self care and don't owe anyone else a damn thing.

hi, you there who are or are thinking about spending all day in bed, it’s okay, I’m not telling you to get up. I’d just like to do a quick check in to make sure you’ve got everything you need to be comfortable and safe.

Have you gotten up to take any meds you need?

Do you need to open or close your windows or curtains/blinds to make your environment nicer? (Fresh air, keep the cold out, sunlight/darkness)

Do you have a water bottle or a glass of water easily accessible? (Can also be juice, cordial, a meal replacement drink or anything else)

Do you have any over the counter or prescription as required meds you might need, like painkillers or anti nausea meds?

Is your phone or laptop charged?

Are you wearing comfortable clothing?

Do you have enough blankets/pillows to be warm and comfortable?

Do you have any snacks like fruit or chips or muesli bars in case you can’t get up to make a meal?

Are you able to change positions in bed (or sit up if you’re able)?

Do you have any regulation tools like fidgets, ear plugs, or journaling/art books or low energy hobbies you might want?

Are you being gentle and patient with yourself and your body today?

Thanks for doing this check in with me. I like to have some of these things prepared on my nightstand, or all together in the same space in my room so I don’t have to do as much work on low energy days. It can also help to have someone else prepare or get these things for you if you’re unable. Hope you have an uncomplicated day.