Even though “support needs” language was created to be a contrast to “functioning” language sometimes I do think the instant it moves outside of the actual autistic community it’s very common for the way people talk about “support needs” to end up being used in a way that sounds exactly like functioning labels. And then it’s like, okay, you’re saying support, but it’s clear the angle you’re coming at this from is like “how disruptive to me personally would this person’s needs be.” And maybe that’s just proof that labels are never infallible? Which makes sense, given that they’re just. Tools for us to use.
Idk. I know it’s important esp for people w high support needs to be able to communicate exactly how different their experiences can be from autistics with lower support needs, bc it really can’t be understated, and ppl with high support needs are so often ignored or overlooked or swept under the rug. And at the same time when it comes to how those terms get used outside of the actual community; ex. within diagnostic criteria; I more and more wish we could start to typify support needs as a spectrum, just like symptoms are a spectrum. “Low - Medium - High” or “Needs Some Support - Needs More Support - Needs Major Support” are metrics that can definitely be helpful and even vital, but sometimes they still feel restrictive and way too simple.
I end up wishing people could have their support needs understood by going through each part of their life it affects, all the different ways they may or may not need help. Social support, sensory support, school support, support with work if they can/do work— even needing live-in care accounts for a really wide range of needs that’s going to look different for every person. Do they need help eating regular meals, help in the bathroom, help with hygiene? Help with emotional regulation and feeling stable and safe? Help with chores, other daily tasks, help with keeping appointments? Help with transportation? There’s so many factors there, so many ways in which someone might need support, and so many ways in which those needs could vary. Giving someone’s support needs a “level” feels like a place to begin but not to end in these discussions, I guess? Because truly every individual person is going to have a different experience, and not just different needs but different methods in which those needs have to be met.
Idk. And ofc I also understand why that language may need to be more simple at times, in order to just get that basic message to anyone bothering to listen— but it also feels like the future of these discussions has to find a way to incorporate the nuance of people’s actual experiences if we really want to see material changes
