Autism “Levels” Are Still Functioning Labels

Both are inaccurate and useless at best, harmful at worst

Created by author

External and internalized ableism

The Autistic community has explained (and explained some more) how and why functioning labels are unhelpful, inaccurate, and often harmful.

Many just ignore us, but those who do listen seem to understand the words, but not the concept. Instead of using labels like “high functioning” and “low functioning”, we moved on to phrases like support needs and autism levels.

They’re the same damn thing.

Why are we so insistent on differentiating ourselves (or our children) from others who share our neurotype?

Let’s be honest with ourselves here: it’s ableism, plain and simple.

My son was was originally diagnosed with ADHD in 2019, and a few months later, I was given the same diagnosis. Since then, others have suggested he and I might be Autistic as well.

I’ve been researching autism and ADHD as special interests for the past five years and I’ve come to the same conclusion.

If you go back in my writing, you’ll find that many of my early articles refer to my son as twice exceptional, which is accurate: he is gifted as well as Autistic and ADHD.

Regardless of the term’s accuracy, why did I feel the need to frequently bring up his gifted intellect, even when it wasn’t immediately relevant to the story I was telling?

In hindsight, I can honestly confess there was an element of ableism involved. It was my way of saying, “he’s neurodivergent — but smart, don’t forget smart!”

As if other neurodivergent folks who haven’t had the privilege of an IQ test — the privilege an assessment done with a psychologist who really got them and provided appropriate accommodations — as if they aren’t just as brilliant, but perhaps without a piece of paper with a number on it to “prove” it?

Quote by Kat Williams — (image created by author)