I hate hate hate functioning labels!!
For “high functioning autistics” it denies them the support and access to resources they need. So when they’re looking for accommodations to help them function they’re denied this and therefore cannot access or have limited access.
And for “low functioning” autistics it denies them the opportunity to function without any support without people hailing them as heroes and inspiration porn, therefore denies NTs to perceive them as human.
I prefer the term support needs, e.g. low support needs and high support needs (yeah I know still a label but I feel like sometimes things need labels). I generally have low support needs as there are times, when things are going right or I’m happy, that I need no support at all, but this label still gives me access to the support I need.
The reason why I love this label is I can change it to suit the occasion, as I’ll have higher support needs or lower support needs depending on where I am, who I’m with, what’s happening etc.
Thoughts?
