Dear Reader,
Across education, healthcare, and even everyday conversations, functioning labels still appear everywhere. “High-functioning.” “Low-functioning.” Neat little boxes that promise clarity but offer almost none. These labels were created for convenience, not accuracy. They tell outsiders how comfortable they feel interacting with an autistic person—not who that person actually is.
And when we rely on these labels, we lose sight of the real human being standing in front of us.
Autistic experience is dynamic.
Context matters.
Stress matters.
Safety matters.
Regulation matters.
Communication access matters.
None of that fits into a binary system of “high” or “low.”
At GEM Academy, our work is rooted in something far more honest:
The belief that every autistic person deserves language that reflects their full humanity.
The Problem With “High-Functioning”
Many people use “high-functioning” to suggest someone is “fine,” “easy,” or “not that autistic.” But this phrase often hides the tremendous internal labor involved in masking, navigating sensory environments, and meeting expectations that weren’t designed for neurodivergent nervous systems.
Here is language that tells the truth:
• They use spoken language, though they may still experience significant sensory overwhelm or burnout.
• They are independent in some areas and need support in others, just like any person.
• They may appear calm or competent in public, but rely heavily on routines, decompression time, and predictability to stay regulated.
• They do best with clear communication, reduced sensory load, and relationships that honor their needs.
This shift matters because it removes the illusion that visible communication equals “less autistic” or “less impacted.” It reframes the person through the lens of support, not assumption.
The Problem With “Low-Functioning”
“Low-functioning” is not just inaccurate—it is deeply dehumanizing.
It has been used for decades to justify fewer rights, fewer opportunities, and fewer assumptions of competence.
It reduces a person’s entire inner world to what an observer perceives in a moment of dysregulation or limited access to communication.
We can do much better.
Here is language that honors dignity:
• They communicate through AAC, gestures, visuals, or other non-speaking modalities.
• They need consistent support throughout the day and find meaningful joy in sensory experiences, movement, music, or play.
• They process information at a pace that requires time, patience, and predictable rhythms.
• They build real, reciprocal connections, even when their expressions of connection differ from neurotypical norms.
• They are fully human—thinking, feeling, perceiving—regardless of how easily others can interpret their communication.
When our language centers humanity, it shifts how others respond, support, and include.
Moving Toward More Humanizing Language
Functioning labels are convenient shortcuts, but autism is not a shortcut kind of experience. It’s relational. It’s contextual. It is shaped moment-by-moment by sensory input, emotional safety, communication access, and how the environment responds.
Here are principles that guide our practice at GEM Academy:
• Describe support needs, not judgments about ability or worth.
• Presume competence, even when communication is limited or unconventional.
• Look at the whole human—interests, patterns, stressors, delights—not just challenges.
• Recognize that abilities fluctuate with regulation, stress, environment, and safety.
• Honor the person’s authentic communication, even when it differs from neurotypical expectations.
• Approach every interaction with curiosity rather than assumption.
This is not about avoiding uncomfortable truths… it is about telling them accurately.
Why This Shift Matters
When we let go of functioning labels, we create a more compassionate and workable reality for autistic people. We make room for:
• More accurate support plans that reflect real needs.
• More trusting relationships between autistic people and the adults who guide them.
• More dignity, autonomy, and space for self-expression.
• More opportunities for growth that aren’t constrained by assumptions.
• More flexibility in how we understand communication, regulation, and learning.
Functioning labels were built from the outside looking in. They were never informed by autistic people describing their own lives. Choosing humanizing language is one way we move toward a world where autistic identity is not misunderstood or minimized, but honored for its complexity, beauty, and truth.
Autistic people deserve to be seen as whole.
Not as “high” or “low.”
Not as “easy” or “difficult.”
Not as categories.
As people.
With real needs. Real strengths. Real humanity.
And that begins with the words we choose every day.
With care,
Maisie
💌 Want to learn more with GEM Academy?
If this conversation resonates, you may love the work we're doing inside GEM Academy—creating identity-affirming, neurodiversity-respecting resources for families, caregivers, and professionals.
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