What is "high-functioning?"

specificity

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 03:16:05 -0500

Okay I thought of something. The person I work with has a very rare condition, but her parents know of many other people with her condition through conferences and the Internet. When talking about her specific condition, her parents have sometimes referred to her as “high/higher functioning” because she can do things that many people with her condition can’t do.

But when she goes to activities for people with developmental disabilities, they are often not set up for her because the assumption is that all people with developmental disabilities will be able to do things that she can’t do. Sometimes in these situations, it feels tense, like people are going to assume that she shouldn’t be there because she can’t do all of those things.

Clearly, she goes from being “high functioning” to…the other thing…based on the group she is in.

Also, some of the people at her activities might not be considered so “high functioning” in a different place. Some people might think a disabled person is “high functioning” if they can play a board game, other people might think they’re “high functioning” if they can read. The temptation is to say that one definition of “high functioning” is real and everything else is relative, but this is impossible.

Sherlock

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 22:58:10 -0500

It’s been a year since anyone has posted anything. I thought I might be the person to start it back up again?

I started watching Sherlock, and he called himself a “high-functioning sociopath”. This led me on a 2 hour journey on what exactly sociopaths are and what exactly high-functioning means. Which led me here. And I love it. So start posting again! :)

that’s a noble purpose but this isn’t a submission. what can I do if people don’t submit things?

well actually I do have an idea for something but it’s only one idea.

Here’s a positive one that was completely unexpected but so wonderful: “But if she...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:45:28 -0500

Here’s a positive one that was completely unexpected but so wonderful:

“But if she suffers all of these consequences for pushing herself to do all of these things, to the point where she can’t eat, can’t get out of bed, can’t take care of herself, how is that high-functioning?”

-My father, attending an autism awareness session with my psychologist. Amazing, and exactly the opposite of what I had braced myself for. (My psychologist’s answer was simply, “it’s not.” Also amazing, but I expect that from her.)

“She has autism, but she’s very high-functioning.”Not just high-functioning, but...

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:49:13 -0500

“She has autism, but she’s very high-functioning.”

Not just high-functioning, but very high-functioning! I’m really moving up in the world! This was shortly after she had read something I had written about having been hospitalized repeatedly throughout my adolescence and young adulthood, sent to an institution because it was clear that I could not live on my own (later released to my parents care for a couple of months until they told me to move out), and having never been able to make it through college despite having a high IQ.

Meanwhile, I come home in the evenings and cry or have meltdowns; I’m only eating two oranges and a bowl of oatmeal a day because anything else would be too complicated; I’m in trouble with all kinds of agencies for forgetting to pay things; and my Internet search history is filled with things like “supported living for adults with autism” because I have never been able to be independent successfully, and this time isn’t any different.

My sister’s explanation: ”I forget you have it! You’re not weird. I don’t...

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:03:37 -0500

My sister’s explanation: ”I forget you have it! You’re not weird. I don’t FORGET other people have it.”

Several times, I’ve seen and heard statements that “low-functioning” people wear...

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:50:14 -0500

Several times, I’ve seen and heard statements that “low-functioning” people wear diapers. However, most presumed “low-functioning” people whom I’ve known did not wear diapers. I am incontinent.

[you’re awesome, thank you for submitting so much—ed.]

Visibility

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:49:48 -0500

http://nostereotypeshere.blogspot.com/2011/12/functioning-labels-and-meaning.html

Signal boosting this! It’s spot-on!

Claiming Disability

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:29:44 -0500

“You are probably the most high-funct- “

“NO.”

This from people who once said I would always be mentally retarded and could never function. Why say the opposite? Because I was saying I qualify for disability benefits.

I'll tell you what your functioning level is

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:03:33 -0500

New facebook friend-request: Hi! It’s always nice to meet other aspies!

Me: I’m not an aspie.

Her: Oh, well there’s nothing wrong with that [seriously? SERIOUSLY?] Can I ask what your functioning level is?

Me: Um, cycling between high-functioning and low-functioning, I guess? Because I can’t sustain “high-functioning”?

Her: What you’re describing is definitely high-functioning.

Can buy coffee

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:03:26 -0500

I met someone for coffee and he said “You’re the highest-functioning out of all the high-functioning autistics I’ve met.”

All he had seen me do at that point was buy coffee.

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

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:50:44 -0500

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!

Having An Unpopular Opinion

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 20:37:26 -0400

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.

Not "Appearing" Mentally Disabled

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:37:23 -0400

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

Appeal

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:37:20 -0400

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

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:50:02 -0400

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...

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 08:39:24 -0400

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”...

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 01:25:22 -0400

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.

Intelligent?

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:14:37 -0400

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.

Intelligent?

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:14:37 -0400

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.

Doesn't stim in public

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:14:27 -0400

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.