“High” Functioning Vs. “Low” Functioning Autism?

By Kami-Leigh Agard
After years of wrestling to accept the fact that my daughter does indeed have autism, I felt that my journey to acceptance was finally over. So what if she doesn’t talk, read or write? So what that her self-help skills aren’t on par with her so-called “neurotypical” peers? I started to focus on what she can and will do, as opposed to what she can’t and may never do.
One slap in the face was when recently I was once again asked by a social service agency if she is “high” functioning or “low” functioning? This question has always baffled me as I look at my daughter as “special” functioning—meaning that she’s a non-conformist, living life on her own terms—not unlike her eccentric mom and nutty professor dad.
I gave the same answer: “I never really gave it much thought.”
The woman then began to pound me a series of questions: “Does she talk, brush her teeth on her own, have friends, dress herself, cross the street independently, count money…?” I started to tune the woman out, and just blurted out, “Well, no to all of the above, but she is amazing on her rollerblades, skateboard and ice skates. She’s strong as an ox, and very athletic.”
After an awkward pause, “The woman replied, “Ohhhh…so I guess she is ‘low’ functioning?” If this lady was in front of me, I would have spat in her face. Didn’t she hear what I said?
After hanging up, I started to ponder on what the word, “functioning” meant. So, I looked it up. According to The Oxford dictionary, something that is “functioning is working”—doing what it’s supposed to do. A “functioning” refrigerator keeps your food cold. A “functioning” television shows a clear picture. A “functioning” group gets things done in an orderly and timely fashion.
“Ha!” I thought to myself. “My daughter is functioning because she is doing exactly what God created her to do.” As an array of colorful explicits filled my head, ruing that I was unable to share them with Ms. Social Services lady, I finally started to calm down.
Then, I really started to think about the difference between “high” versus “low” functioning. How many of you know someone who has racked up a million college degrees, but can’t keep a job, much less a savings account, and is living in his/her parents’ basement? Now compare that to a regular “Joe” who just has a high school diploma, went to vocational school to learn a trade, working productively and well, living under his own roof.
Between Mr. Educated and “Joe,” who would you rate as “high” functioning or “low” functioning? No brainer, right?
I see my daughter as “high” functioning. Maybe some of you would say that I am wearing rose-colored lenses, but anyone who has the fortune of encountering my daughter, are baffled by her beauty, physical strength, cunning nature and appetite for life. Sometimes, I’m grateful that she is in a special education classroom setting, which protects her from bullying and becoming a social media junky. So yes, Ms. Social Services lady. My daughter is “high” functioning. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
Mark your calendars! On Thursday, August 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Rockaway Beach Autism Families is hosting our 6th Annual “Dance Under the Stars for Autism” at Caracas, Beach 106th Boardwalk Concession. Get ready for a live DJ, 360 photo booth, 50/50s and more! Come out and bust a move with the autism community. For more information, email: kami@rockawaybeachautismfamilies.org or visit: Rockaway Beach Autism Families on Facebook/Instagram.