The Problem with Functioning Labels in Autism
Autism is often described using terms like “high-functioning” or “low-functioning” or classified into levels 1, 2, and 3.
While these labels are commonly used by professionals and the general public, they fail to capture the complex and varied experiences of autistic individuals.
Rather than providing meaningful information, these classifications tend to reflect how convenient or challenging an autistic person is for neurotypical individuals to interact with.
This article explores why functioning labels are problematic, how they misrepresent autistic experiences, and what a more accurate and respectful approach to describing autism might look like.
Common Labels Used to Describe Autism
You may have heard someone say, “He has severe autism” or “They have mild autism.”
Or, maybe you’ve heard “She has high-functioning autism” or “He is very low-functioning.”
DSM-5 Classification
Due to backlash against these terms, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5), changed to classify autism into three diagnostic levels to describe the level of support an individual may need.
- Level 1 — requiring support
- Level 2 — requiring substantial support
- Level 3 — requiring very substantial support
Previously, there was also a separate diagnosis of Asperger syndrome, which was often considered a form of “mild autism.”
However, it’s important to remember that the DSM-5 framework is a diagnostic tool.
It is not a one-size-fits-all description. And autism is not defined by its challenges alone. Every autistic person brings their own unique way of perceiving, processing, and interacting with the world.
Some autistic people disagree with the categorization of autism as a disorder at all, seeing it instead as a distinct neurotype — one of the many ways that human beings can be beautifully diverse.
The field of psychology is focused on describing what’s wrong in order to determine what kind of support someone might need, while the autistic community largely tries to see beyond that framework of implying there must be something wrong with the way autistic brains work.
Why the Autistic Community Rejects These Classifications
In general, the autistic community does not support these classifications.
They do not accurately reflect the lived experiences of autistic individuals and instead reinforce a limited and often misleading perception of autism.
The common misconception is that autism exists on a linear spectrum, ranging from “not autistic” to “very autistic.” However, autism is better described as a multidimensional spectrum, where different individuals experience varying strengths and challenges across multiple areas, such as sensory processing, communication, executive functioning, and emotional regulation.
A More Accurate Understanding of the Autism Spectrum
To illustrate the issue with functioning labels, let’s consider two autistic individuals, Alex and Bailey, who experience autism in very different ways.
Meet Alex: The “High-Functioning” Label
Alex experiences intense sensory overload due to their brain processing sensory input in a singular, highly focused way (monotrophic).
However, Alex communicates in a way that appears neurotypical—using expected eye contact, facial expressions, and verbal cues.
A neurotypical person observing Alex might assume they are “high-functioning” because their communication aligns with neurotypical expectations. However, this label completely ignores Alex’s significant struggles with sensory overload, which impact their daily life in profound ways.
Meet Bailey: The “Low-Functioning” Label
Bailey, on the other hand, does not experience extreme sensory overload but has a very different communication style.
Their body focuses so much on content that they struggle with speech modulation, nonverbal cues, and traditional social gestures.
A neurotypical person might label Bailey as “low-functioning” because they do not communicate in a typical manner. However, this classification disregards that Bailey experiences minimal sensory distress and may excel in other areas that are not even considered.
The Harm in Functioning Labels
Functioning Labels Reflect Neurotypical Convenience, Not Autistic Experience
The labels “high-functioning” and “low-functioning” describe how easy or difficult an autistic person is for a neurotypical person to interact with—not the actual needs or challenges of the autistic individual.
- Alex is labeled “high-functioning” because they are easy to communicate with despite their overwhelming sensory difficulties.
- Bailey is labeled “low-functioning” because their communication is different, even though they are not struggling with sensory overload.
These classifications do not provide meaningful information about what supports each person needs. Instead, they frame autism in terms of how convenient or inconvenient an autistic person is to a neurotypical observer.
Denying Support vs. Denying Autonomy
These labels also have real-world consequences:
- “High-functioning” labels deny autistic people the support they need. People may assume someone like Alex doesn’t need accommodations because they appear “fine.”
- “Low-functioning” labels deny autistic people autonomy. Someone like Bailey may be infantilized or denied independence simply because their way of communicating is different.
This results in autistic individuals being misunderstood and underserved, with their actual needs being overlooked in favor of surface-level judgments.
A Better Approach to Describing Support Needs
While professionals sometimes need to describe an autistic person’s specific challenges for support planning, there are more effective ways to do so than relying on functioning labels.
- Instead of saying: “This child is high/low functioning.”
- Try saying: “This person experiences sensory overload in these situations and benefits from a quiet space. They communicate best through written language rather than spoken words.”
Being specific about strengths and challenges allows for better support and accommodations while respecting an individual’s dignity.
Respecting Individual Preferences in Self-Description
Some autistic people choose to self-describe using terms like “mild autism,” “high-functioning autistic,” or “Asperger’s syndrome.”
It’s not appropriate to correct an autistic person on how they refer to themselves. However, for neurotypical people, especially in non-professional contexts, there is no need to use these classifications when discussing an autistic person.
The Bottom Line: Autism Is Not a Competition
Autism is not a contest where one person is “more autistic” or “less autistic” than another.
The best way to talk about autism is to focus on individual experiences, strengths, and support needs rather than using broad, often inaccurate labels.
Instead of defining an autistic person by how easy they are to interact with, we should strive to understand their actual lived experiences and ensure they receive the support and respect they deserve.
This moves us toward a more accurate, affirming, and supportive understanding of neurodiversity.
