#functioning labels cw

[autistickitten]

I was talking to the mom of one of my peers who is also autistic, and she was talking about how he's "lost his diagnosis" as in he no longer meets the diagnostic criteria, and she's so proud of him for that. I was professionally diagnosed at 16, but she was saying that I probably don't actually meet criteria now either because I'm High Functioning. I mean she's also an anti vaxxer so I should probably take it with a grain of salt but like I feel Not Valid 😕

Yeah…no. Odds are her son was never actually autistic to begin with, or she’s completely talking our of her rear. You can’t just “lose your diagnosis” like that unless the diagnosis was already incorrect, and the fact that she’s using functioning labels and is an anti-vaxxer sounds like she’s not to be trusted on what she’s talking about anyway. Heck...some would consider me “high-functioning” (as much as I loathe functioning labels myself), but I am definitely autistic, thank you very much.

In short…don’t listen to her BS. As far as we’re concerned, you’re valid.

- Auntie Cat

[autistic-google]

I know functioning labels are bad, but also they just don't make sense to me?

It’s a way for allistics to determine how much “support” an autistic person needs; in other words, “they can take care of themselves” vs “they need to be in a special home”.

[autistickitten]

I just got screened for ASD and while I firmly believe I have it the tests came back negative and the girl said I would be very hf if I was and that she just wasn't getting those vibes and she used very stereotypical extreme examples and only mentioned hypersensitivity and never hyposensitivity (I am hypo) im very let down and I don't want to be the person that never gets a diagnosis bc I seem hf. I dont know what to do. She said I could call to get evaluated but that it probably isn't necessary

So, the thing is, you could be wrong about being autistic ! And that’s ok. It happens, and the community will still be there for you while you figure out what you do have. Because if you believe you’re autistic and it turns out you aren’t, then chances are you have something.

If you would like to explore the autism possibility further, you should absolutely call and get evaluated ! A differential diagnosis, if it confirms that you aren’t autistic, will give you more insight into how you “tick” and will probably give you the answer you’re looking for. And if it says that the first doctor was wrong and you’re autistic, yay !

Hang in there !

- Sister Cat

[communicationissues]

its 3:30 am time for psych survivor posting

trying to make a list of all the programs I've lived at and lmao at this description. I was a hillside bitch btw

I could write fucking essays abt the 3 months i lived here, more than I could abt the place I lived for a year and a half

[neechoudai]

At work the other day I was talking to a coworker about autistic Representation (she doesn't know I'm autistic, also I think she may be an Autism Sis but I'm not 100% sure, she seems passionate But)

I mentioned Julia (the Sesame Street muppet) and she said she didn't like her because she seemed stereotypical

And I was like "hmmmmm, well I mean it's just one character and it's hard to show all of autism through one character. I think she is great!"

She seems to think there should've been more "high functioning" (bleh I keep having to hear that phrase and not Go Off on people) traits

Actually Autistic people, what are your thoughts on Julia? I am autistic myself and I adore her! I relate to her in many ways (despite NTs labeling me "very mild") and I think it's important to foster that understanding in kids!

[autistickitten]

Is it bad to say that i have low functioning/ high functioning days? I know the labels are called bad alot. but i feel they help me explain how im acting

As long as you’re only describing your experiences, I don’t see why that would be an issue. I also feel like saying “low or high functioning days” is different from saying a person is strictly high or low functioning, too.

 - Sister Cat

[autistic-google]

Is it bad that I don't mind and actually prefer when I'm referred to as high-functioning?

It’s not necessarily bad but it is considered rude to call people that, but if that’s what you prefer it’s fine. Just don’t call other people like that unless they approve. -mod birb

[autistic-space-dragon]

Allistic people please take note:

Making statements that bear the assumption that so called ‘low functioning’ autistic people* have little to no ‘Quality of Life’ (such as making statements that they are incapable of, and do not ever live ‘rich’ and ‘fulfilling’ lives) is extremely ableist and very harmful. 

Its exactly that kind of thinking/rhetoric that has directly contributed to the murder of numerous autistic people.

* - Please note that I do not at all support the use of functioning labels, which are also, as a matter of fact, extremely ableist.