Autism Functioning Labels & The Harm They Cause

Last Updated on August 17, 2025 by John Hookway

Autism Functioning Labels can hurt people. These labels change how others see autistic people. They also affect how autistic people feel about themselves.

Words can change how the public thinks. Words can also change self-esteem. Research, like the CDC ADDM Network, shows autism is more common now. In 2020, 1 in 36 kids in the U.S. were found to be autistic.

Researchers learned that autistic people like language that shows autism as a difference. They do not want autism called a disease.

Negative or medical words can make people feel worse. These words can also stop people from getting help.

Key Takeaways

• Autism functioning labels like ‘high-functioning’ and ‘low-functioning’ make people’s abilities seem too simple. These labels can create unfair ideas and stigma about people.
• These labels can hurt mental health. They make autistic people feel like they must hide who they are. This can cause stress and burnout.
• Using support needs instead of labels gives better and more personal help. It also respects each person’s strengths and challenges.
• Respectful language is important. Always ask and use the words autistic people like. This helps lower stigma and raise self-esteem.
• Listening to autistic people and letting them share their thoughts leads to better support. It also brings more respect and understanding for everyone.

Autism Functioning Labels

Common Terms

Autism Functioning Labels use words like “high-functioning,” “low-functioning,” and “profound autism.” People see these words in hospitals, schools, and with friends.

Long ago, doctors and teachers called someone “high-functioning” if they talked well or needed less help. They said “low-functioning” for people who did not talk or needed more help.

Now, the DSM-5-TR uses support levels instead of those words. It has Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. These levels show how much help someone needs every day. Dr. Ryan Sultan says Autism Functioning Labels do not tell the whole story.

They can hide what a person is good at or what is hard for them. Autistic advocates like Jessica Flynn and Kat Williams want to talk about support needs instead. This helps people know what kind of help someone needs. It also stops people from making unfair guesses.

The CDC ADDM Network and the DSM-5-TR both say autism is a spectrum. Every person has their own needs and skills.

How Labels Are Used

People use Autism Functioning Labels in different ways. Doctors and teachers sometimes use them to pick what help or classes someone gets.

Families might use these words to talk about their child’s needs. In the past, Simon Baron-Cohen used “high-functioning” for people with fewer symptoms. These words are also in news stories and on social media. But now, the DSM-5 uses support levels instead.

This change helps people look at what each person needs, not just a label. Some teachers and doctors think labels help explain actions and give support. Others say labels are too simple and can cause problems or confusion.

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network says these labels can make it harder to get the right help. Many experts now say to use words that talk about a person’s support needs and strengths.

Harms of Functioning Labels

Stereotypes and Stigma

Autism Functioning Labels often make stereotypes stronger. People called “high-functioning” are seen as not needing help. Some think they are geniuses or do not have feelings.

People called “low-functioning” are seen as unable to learn or grow. These ideas are not true in real life. Research shows these labels do not match real skills.

Abilities can change over time. Someone called “high-functioning” may still need help every day. Someone called “low-functioning” may have strengths that others do not see.

Media stories often show autistic people as either very smart or unable to talk. This makes it hard for people to understand all autistic experiences.

Studies, like those in reviews and meta-analyses, show that stigma from labels leads to bullying and being left out. Many autistic students say they have been bullied.

Stigma can cause anxiety and depression. It can also make people want to be alone. These problems come from negative attitudes and labels, not from autism.

Mental Health Impact

Labels like “high-functioning” and “low-functioning” can hurt mental health. Many autistic people feel pressure to hide who they are. They do this to fit in with others.

This is called masking. Masking is common, especially for those called “high-functioning.” It can make people feel tired and stressed.

Sometimes it leads to burnout. Burnout means feeling so tired you cannot do daily things. Studies show masking can lead to burnout and even higher risk of suicide.

• Autistic self-advocates say Autism Functioning Labels create a harmful ranking. This makes people feel less important if they do not seem “normal.”
• The neurodiversity movement, supported by many autistic adults, disagrees with these labels. It says autism is part of who someone is and should not be ranked.
• Research, like work by Graham et al. (2013), shows labels can affect how autistic children learn and talk with others. They may have a harder time sharing ideas, which leads to more social problems.

Social Hierarchies

Autism Functioning Labels create rankings in society and in the autistic community. People called “high-functioning” are expected to do well without help. Their struggles are often ignored.

People called “low-functioning” may be left out or seen as less able. Psychologist Barry M. Prizant and advocate Jim Sinclair both say these labels lead to unfair ideas and lower expectations.

• These labels split autistic people into groups. Some feel “not autistic enough” and others feel invisible.
• People seen as “too capable” or “not capable enough” may not get support or chances.
• The “stack of rocks” idea shows how labels put people in layers, ranking them instead of seeing everyone as equal.

Barriers to Support

Autism Functioning Labels can stop people from getting the right help. Teachers and doctors may think “high-functioning” people do not need support.

So, they do not offer services. People called “low-functioning” may not get chances to show what they can do.

Research shows these labels can become true just because people expect them to be. The label shapes the help and chances someone gets.

• Studies show IQ or simple labels do not tell what help someone needs. Support needs can change over time and in different places.
• Experts now say it is better to look at each person’s strengths and needs, not just use labels.
• When people use labels, they may miss hidden needs or special talents. This can cause poor mental health, low self-esteem, and missed chances to grow.

Many autistic people and advocates want support based on what each person needs, not on a label. This helps everyone get the help and respect they deserve.

Inaccuracy of Labels

Context Matters

Autism Functioning Labels make it seem like skills never change. But how someone does can change in different places. Support and the environment matter a lot.

A study showed that family help and good schools help autistic people get better at things over time. For example, someone might do well in a quiet class. But they might have a hard time in a loud lunchroom.

Stress, being tired, or too much noise can also make things harder. These things show that labels do not show real needs. Needs can change every day.

People need different kinds of help in different places and times.

Many autistic people have “spiky profiles.” This means they are good at some things but need help with others.

For example, someone might read well but not like bright lights or loud sounds. Simple labels like “high-functioning” or “low-functioning” miss these differences.

Overlooking Diversity

Autism is a spectrum. This means people have many different strengths and challenges. Autism Functioning Labels put people into simple groups.

This takes away the real differences between people. Research shows two people with the same label can be very different. One person called “high-functioning” might talk well but feel anxious. Another person with the same label might have other strengths or problems.

A review of research shows these labels miss things like gender, race, and other conditions. Black and Indigenous autistic people are called “low-functioning” more than white people.

This leads to unfair treatment. Girls and women may not get the right label because their autism looks different. The autism community wants words that respect each person’s needs and skills.

Better Approaches

Individualized Support

Experts say we should look at each autistic person’s strengths and needs. Dr. Scott Allen talks about two adults with autism.

They got different labels, but their real skills were not the same as the labels. He thinks we should use skill sets and support needs, not broad groups.

This way, help can fit each person and not be too simple. Studies in journals show that this kind of support works better. The table below shows how label-based and individualized support are different:

Respectful Language

Words can change how people think and act. Many autistic adults like identity-first language, such as “autistic person.” They feel proud of this.

Some people like person-first language, like “person with autism.” The NIH says to use person-first language if you do not know what someone likes.

But always respect what each person wants. Groups should listen to people and change words as needed. Studies show that using kind words lowers stigma and helps self-esteem.

Centering Autistic Voices

Autistic self-advocates say it is important to listen to autistic people. The Self-Assessment of Autistic Traits (SAAT) model was made by autistic researchers. It shows that when autistic people help with research, the results are better and more respectful.

Autistic-led projects fight negative stories and support neurodiversity. Safe spaces and listening to autistic people help build good support and respect their choices.

Listening to autistic people and letting them help make decisions gives better support and more respect.

Recent research, like studies by Graham et al. and the PCORI Engagement project, shows that functioning labels hurt people. These labels make things too simple.

They ignore what each person can do well. They also take away people’s choices and make others ignore them. Labels can make people feel left out and judged.

The table below shows the main problems:

You can help by using kind words and looking for what people do well. It is important to listen to autistic people. Teachers, families, and helpers should work together. They need to support each person in their own way.

FAQ

What are autism functioning labels?

Autism functioning labels use words like “high-functioning” or “low-functioning.” People use these words to talk about how much help someone needs. Studies, like Bottema-Beutel et al. (2021), show these labels do not tell the whole story. They miss many skills and needs.

What harm do functioning labels cause?

Functioning labels can cause stigma and unfair treatment. Research from Botha et al. (2022) found these labels make bullying worse and lower self-esteem. People may not get the right help because others judge them too fast.

What is a better way to describe autistic people’s needs?

Experts say it is better to talk about support needs. The National Autistic Society says to explain what help someone needs each day. This way, people’s strengths and challenges are respected.

What does “spiky profile” mean in autism?

A “spiky profile” means someone is good at some things but needs help with others. For example, a person might read well but have trouble with loud sounds. Studies like Mottron (2021) show this is common for many autistic people.

What language do autistic people prefer?

Many autistic people like identity-first language, such as “autistic person.” Some people like person-first language, such as “person with autism.” The study by Kenny et al. (2016) says it is best to ask each person what they like.