What is "high-functioning?"

It feels weird to type this into the submit box, but you don’t have an ask on here, so here goes.

I love this blog. I just happened to find it one day when some series of Wikipedia articles led me to the word “high-functioning”, and I looked up what exactly that means, because I had never really been sure.

You make a very good point through your posts.

That’s basically it. Bye!

If you say anything going against what the majority says about developmental disabilities, then you are seen as “too high-functioning” for your words to be valid.

When I was a child, people said I wasn’t disabled “enough” because I had an imagination and did not have Down syndrome.

If you are considered a physically attractive and verbal adult woman, then you automatically having passing privilege (and will be seen as a liar when you say you cannot do things), and you automatically will be considered high-functioning.  

An IQ above 80 is one definition of high-functioning, never mind that IQ tests are inaccurate especially if one is disabled.

fragmentsofstuff:

“[on “what is high functioning?”] I think if I answered this question the bitterness level would rise to such dangerous amounts as to cause a black hole of bitterness and destroy the planet. […] For bonus points, merge the second or fourth and the last two definitions - any autistic who is capable of typing messages on the internet in order to disagree with you clearly doesn’t need any sort of help, doesn’t have any problems and is just whining. This is the kind of terminology where I don’t just want it to die I want a time machine so I can go back and make sure that it never existed in the first place.”

—

kaz

my thoughts exactly

According to a psychologist/university professor who runs a prominent “social skills” class locally, graduating from college makes one “super-high-functioning.”  While I don’t deny that a college degree confers certain privileges, my B.A. does not mean that I don’t experience significant disabilities.

My counselor asked me if I’ve always been high functioning. 

I did not understand and asked what he meant.

He rephrased the question to “Have you always done well in school?” 

I told him I had always been placed in GATE classes, and he was then satisfied with my answer.

My counselor asked me if I’ve always been high functioning. 

I did not understand and asked what he meant.

He rephrased the question to “Have you always done well in school?” 

I told him I had always been placed in GATE classes, and he was then satisfied with my answer.

Two friends argued over whether i’m an aspie or a “High-functioning autistic”. the conclusion apparently was that I’m HFA because i don’t stim in public.

I have a diagnosis of Aspergers’ Syndrome but I identify as autistic, not otherwise specified.