#support needs label

[bioethicists]

the decision to add a disorder to the dsm called "prolonged grief disorder" in which grieving for too long/with too much intensity/more than "expected" is deemed pathological... three years into a devastatingly fatal pandemic... i want to hurt people

[clownrecess]

(TW functioning labels, ableism, meltdowns, doctors, etc.)

I was diagnosed as autistic when I was 10, and I was more specifically diagnosed with "High functioning autism". The person my psychiatrist saw was me on easy days, on days when I was fully calm, on days when I could easily communicate, and had no other job than to sit and do what she told me to do.

She hadn't seen me go fully mute for months on end, she hadn't seen me fully unable to take care of my basic needs, she hadn't seen me have violent meltdowns, she hadn't seen me hit and bite myself because I couldn't identify my emotions, she hadn't seen me run into the street because I have nothing in my brain telling me not to, she hadn't seen me unable to change clothes for multiple days, she hadn't seen me only able to shower once a week, she hadn't seen me unable to properly exist in gened, she hadn't seen me have severe meltdowns over a change I liked just because I didnt expect it, she hadn't seen me put a small hole in a wall during a meltdown, she hadn't seen me as a full time AAC user, she hadn't seen me as a part time AAC user, she hadn't seen me unable to sleep without an intensely large amount of nightlights, she hadn't seen me unable to bathe myself until age 9 or 10, etc.

She saw me in a calm state, once every few months, on days when I could communicate easily and do what she asked. That is all she saw of me, her asking me questions, having me do things, and asking my mom questions.

If she saw me, and I was the way I described in front of her, my diagnosis would probably be closer to something like "moderate functioning autism".

But here's the thing, ON DIFFERENT DAYS, I FIT DIFFERENT CRITERIA FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF AUTISM DIAGNOSES.

My ability to "Function" varies so so much, and this makes functioning labels extremely inaccurate.

Now, let's use support needs to describe me. I am a person who's support needs fluctuate from med-high. I have med-high support needs. This is accurate for me, and it is not ableist.

I wanted to talk about this to describe how functioning labels suck, and also to talk about how support needs fluctuate; and that is okay.

[only-knives]

people can call their experience of autism as a disorder, disability, or neurodivergency... they can use functioning labels or support needs terms or levels... i don't care, as long as they aren't calling themself an aspie or telling others how to define themself.

what matters most to me is that people describe their experiences in a way that's empowering to them. everyone experiences autism differently. everyone has different understandings of the terms i listed above. we may all have things in common, but we're not all the same.

that's okay. that's natural. just be yourself, and respect others.

[foggyroseblood]

I don't remember who said it but whoever suggested to use "high masking" and "low masking" instead of low and high functioning i love you so much. Its the only words I feel really work for me. I was diagnosed with "high functioning autism/aspergers" which the 1st one just didnt fit me i felt bc it just isnt true and the 2nd word has nazi history so um no thanks. Lots of people use low and high support needs now but those don't work for me either. Like i would be considered low support needs i guess but I do need lots of support with daily things i definitely do not have low support needs if i take the definition litterally. I am high masking.

High masking suggets that i look like i am high functioning and okay although i am not and that's very validating

[five-thousand-loaves-of-bread]

so. want to begin by saying that while this post criticizes functioning labels, there are autistics who do like functioning labels for themselves (including me) and they not the problem not the enemy. there are autistics who been forcibly labeled "low functioning" or "severe" who absolutely hate hate being called that, others identify with it. both choice valid and need to be respected. having said that, here is the real post:

if i see another (usually lower support needs) person say "support needs has become the new functioning labels," i'm going to scream.

because. no. no it not.

their reasoning is people now replacing/exchanging “low support needs = high functioning” and “high support needs = low functioning.” and that people assume they low support needs "just because" they can talk, when in reality they have areas or times of having high support needs. (and oftentimes by "high support needs" they misuse it to mean needing help cook or remind shower sometimes...but otherwise can be mostly independent)

here is (how i understand) why functioning labels and support needs labels are different:

functioning labels

functioning labels is about how well you "function" to a mythical (white & white supremacist) nondisabled neurotypical capitalistic standard. it focuses on deficit and problem of the autistic person. it is about how *you* are the problem.

it puts a cap on your ability. other people assess you (with tests not designed for you) and forcibly give you the label. the assessor become the narrator of your story. you lose agency to your own life story.

to use my own unofficial metaphor, a mythical "normal" person have ability 1 to 10, functioning label states a "high functioning" autistic person maybe 1 to 7 or 8, a "low functioning" autistic person 1 to 3. being assigned functioning label say you can only function up to 3. 3 is your potential. that's your max (supposedly). all you can do. (difference is when someone use functioning label for themselves, they are telling their own story and giving themselves a self-identifier, which different from being forced one without the psychologist even bother to understand how you understand yourself and world.)

support labels

support label is of course about how much support you need. it doesn't say anything about your max potential. it doesn’t give you a cap. it shifts from individualistic "your problem your deficit your incompetence" to where community needs to do the work, how much support you need from other people to ensure you meet your potential, wherever that potential is.

it recognizes that each (autistic) individual doesn't exist alone doesn't exist in vacuum. it recognizes that how you function when you don't have your support needs met is not your max ability (because many autistic people don’t have their support needs met).

say, everyone have 1 to 10 again but everyone's 10 is different. support needs model say that while this person without proper support is only achieving 1 to 5, with support they may be able to get to 1 to 8 or 9 or 10. or an alternative system (really up to preference). some people have ability to do 1 to 7, some 1 to 3, some 1 to 12, whatever, because everyone's ability is different and that okay!! as in, for example, regardless of the amount of support i have regardless of how good of a society i live in, i will never be able to live independently speak fluently with mouth words. but even though i may never do 1 to 10 even with best support possible, without support i may only be able to do 1 to 3, with best support i may be able to do 1 to 7. (sorry really awful metaphor that erases nuance like other privilege and oppression faced, bad/good days, it's still a linear scale with a max/cap, but is simplest best metaphor i can think of.) don't know if it makes sense.

can support labels be misused? absolutely. you can’t see a person’s whole life just by what they post on internet. so assuming support needs still bad. but the misuse is not exclusive to "autism parents" and "professionals." plenty of autistic people misuse it too. and people's misuse still doesn't take away how concept behind support needs is an improvement from functioning labels. still doesn't take away the amount of advocacy it took for us to get here.

so no, even though support needs may not be perfect system, but please don't erase the progress and the effort it took.

[clownsuu]

Moon's reaction to humanoid dj, inside sun: Ohno he's hot. *squidward meme*

DJ: I can hear you >:D

I gotta admit-

I ship these dorks smh

[themogaidragon]

Autism Support Needs Pride Flags

PT: Autism Support Needs Pride Flags /end PT

Descriptions are based on this post (link). These are accessible versions of those flags (link).

Please do not use those flags if you are not autistic, these flags are related to autism support needs only.

Disclaimer: support needs aren't monoliths, they do not have clear ends and starts, the definitions presented in this post are just attempts at defining what support needs labels means.

These terms doesn't refer to the ASD support levels currently present in the DSM-5.

More information and ressources about support needs on @birdofmay on this post (link).

High Support Needs

PT: High Support Needs /end PT

High Support Needs: Anyone who isn’t able to live independently and needs help with globally all their basic activities of daily living (BADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) such as self-feeding, bathing, functional mobility, basic grooming, putting on makeup, getting dressed and completing tasks. Can be abbreviated online or in writing as HSN(A) for High Support Needs Autist/Autism or HS(A)P for High Support (Autistic) Person.

Usage in speech: Clarissa is a high support needs autistic person and needs assistance with getting dressed and taking a shower. Abbreviated usage online: I’m HSN and I’m really into physics, so the poor sucker who signs me on is gonna hear a lot about it when they hand me my iPad!

Description originally by @autistic-answers. Updated definition and flag designed by @themogaidragon.

Moderate Support Needs

PT: Moderate Support Needs /end PT

Moderate Support Needs: Anyone who may or may not live independently and needs help with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and some of the basic activities of daily living (BADLs) such has cooking, completing tasks, transportation and mobility, toileting, getting dressed, housekeeping, managing medication, managing money and assistance for things like grocery shopping. Can be abbreviated online or in writing as MSN(A) for Moderate Support Needs Autist/Autism or MS(A)P for Moderate Support (Autistic) Person.

Usage in speech: Kevin is a moderate support needs autistic person and needs some assistance to prepare meals and shop for the wood he uses for his carpentry projects. His boyfriend, Max, usually helps him with those. Usage online: I’m MSN and I’m looking for info about saws. Any fellow auties know what’s best for cutting oak?

Description originally by @autistic-answers. Updated definition and flag designed by @themogaidragon.

Low Support Needs

PT: Low Support Needs /end PT

Low Support Needs: Anyone who more often than not lives independently and may only need assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) like balancing a checkbook, cooking, shopping, transportation, getting started on some tasks like organizing a garage sale or arranging to move from one house to another. Can be abbreviated online or in writing as LSN(A) for Low Support Needs Autist/Autism or LS(A)P for Low Support (Autistic) Person.

Usage in speech: Jesse is a low support needs autistic person and she only needs help keeping her checkbook balanced. Usage online: I’m a LSAP and I’m thinking about moving to Seattle. What’s the weather and traffic like there?

Flag designed by @themogaidragon. Requested by @pronouns-flags.

Flux Support Needs

PT: Flux Support Needs /end PT

Flux Support Needs: Ability to live independently fluctuating, requiring support at fluctuating intensity with basic activities of daily living (BADLs) and/or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), so much that it cannot be considered low, moderate or high or in between those. Fluctuations can be random, have causes, vary in length and frequency. Can be abbreviated online or in writing as FSN(A) for Flux Support Needs Autist/Autism or FS(A)P for Flux Support (Autistic) Person.

Asked by an anon (link). Flag by @themogaidragon.

Moderate to High Support Needs

PT: Moderate to High Support Needs /end PT

Moderate to High Support Needs: Anyone who can't live independently, needs help with a lot of their basic daily living skills (BADLs) but not all of them. Someone who has support needs between moderate and high. Seems like a combination of moderate and high support. Can be abbreviated online or in writing as MHSN(A) for Moderate to High Support Needs Autist/Autism or MHS(A)P for Moderate to High Support (Autistic) Person.

Asked by @the-mogai-catus in this post (link). @themogaidragon has changed the design and definition a little bit.

Low to Moderate Support Needs

PT: Low to Moderate Support Needs /end PT

Low to Moderate Support Needs: Anyone who can't live independently or has many difficulty doing such and needs a lot of support with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and a few of their basic activities of daily living (BADLs). Someone who has support needs between low and moderate. Seems like a combination of low and moderate support. Can be abbreviated online or in writing as LMSN(A) for Low to Moderate Support Needs Autist/Autism or LMS(A)P for Low to Moderate Support (Autistic) Person.

Flag coined by @themogaidragon. Requested by @cutelittle-organc0llector.

[dirtytransmasc]

Something about the way Aegon looks one minuscule inconvenience away from crying at all times is messing with my brain chemistry, he looks so sad, and it makes him so hot. should I be concerned?

[girlwiththegreenhat]

my mom found seven heads up pennies today in the parking lot, the $20 lotto ticket she turned in was actually a $50 winner and then the ticket she bought today won her another $500

meanwhile, i am dealing with double printer failure

equivalent exchange or something. luck cannot be created. it is simply reassigned.

[clownrecess]

To fellow autistics (or like anyone else) with little to no internal sensation, this is a reminder to:

Eat

Drink some water

Go to the bathroom

[1dnatural]

twitter is so fucking weird about harry styles’ sexuality

[five-thousand-loaves-of-bread]

ok real talk if your reason for being blanketly against functioning labels or levels (the two aren’t even the same thing) is because you don’t like being called level 1

don’t come onto my level 2/3 autistic page and tell me to not use levels (when i’m using them to describe myself) and pretend it’s advocating for level 2/3 autistics or whatever

“low functioning” can be used in harmful ableist way 100% but if you are correcting someone you need to first learn to differentiate when it’s used in harmful way before speaking

[semiverbal-culture-is]

Functioning labels make no sense to me. 

"High" functioning and "low" functioning, what the hell is that supposed to mean? Do "high" functioning never need help? Can "low" functioning not do anything themself? 

What if I'm in between? Is there no other word? Just two extremes? 

This is why I perfer the labels autistic community have come up with, low support needs, mid support needs, and high support needs. 

At least I know where I fall, mid support needs, but what do that tell? 

Does it tell you sometimes I'm better alone? Does it tell you sometimes I need clear guidance? Does it tell you there's things I can do, and does it tell you there's things I can't? Does it tell you that those things change all the time?

Technically it does, but it don't tell you what. Support needs fluctuate. What terms do I use? 

Seems like the same struggle again and again to tell that I have autism, but at different levels. My verbalness fluctuate. My support needs fluctuate. My gender and sexuality too. Am I a fluid person, sometimes someone else? 

[autisticbisexualemaskye]

i obviously support self diagnosis but i think this is a little much.

[themogaidragon]

Hullo! I know that you made some autistic support needs flags, but I was wondering if you had/could make a low-medium autistic support flag?

I hope you have a good week!

Low-Medium Autistic Support Flag

Anyone who is low support needs but can't live 100% independently and/or have many difficulties doing such, seems like a combination of low and medium support. Can be abbreviated online or in writing as LMSP for Low-Medium Support Person or LMSAP for Low-Medium Support Autistic Person.

[Image ID: A yellowed green flag with a symbol in the middle. A large navy blue circle is in the middle, inside there is a pastel rainbow infinity symbol. The flag is made up of three horizontal bands, the middle one being much smaller. The colors are, in order, pastel yellowed green, yellowed green, pastel yellowed green.]

[Image ID: An overall yellowed green flag with a navy blue circle surounded by a circle of the same color in the middle. Inside that round there is a infinty pastel symbol. There are seven horizontal stripes of the same size. Their colors are, from top to bottom, pastel yellowed green, yellowed green, dark yellowed green, navy blue, dark yellowed green, yellowed green and pastel yellowed green.]

[maretriarch]

i have like completely turned around on the way I view psychotherapy in the past few months btw like for example don't call myself autistic anymore even tho ive been "diagnosed" since 14 like I think im just fucking stunted bcs like most people these days, Ive spent my whole life wasting away in front of the the computer, never going outside and socializing with people, I had no friends growing up, none as a kid and none as teen that weren't online as well as having a very heightened anxiety response these days i have very little desire to pathologize human instincts in myself in the ways of therapy anymore. i don't think the one size fits all labels are actually helpful for my or many others #mentalhealthjourney. a lot of people use it as justification for their issues instead of working to improve them. and I think the idea of a community and labels is comfort to many people, to have an Explanation a Reason a Higher Power to the point where they will make themselves fit into those predetermined boxes. therapy is not like the medical field where you can run tests and see like the physical damage is being done to the body. you can See the issue you can look at the data and tell what's making you sick. but when it comes to the brain it's soooo extremely based on the cultural expectations of what a "Normal" "Functioning" person is supposed to look like. and in america especially it's based on like the souless hyperproductive 9-5 worker as the ideal blank human model and I think that's also why ADHD self diagnoses have also risen. in a world that demands increased production as well as being more isolated than ever before of course when you fail to meet those standards you're gonna be like oh somethings wrong with Me when it's really not and I think if we lived in a world not so poorly over structured the natural human variances in temperament would be just that natural and human. syndrome voice and when everyones autistic no one will be.