In the Autism communities, the terms “high functioning” and “low functioning” are used quite a lot. However, when asked, the communities are unable to agree upon defining criteria for each. This has led me to look for a clinical description for each, specifically for Autism. However, I was only able to find the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), which is not Autism specific but can be applied to all diagnosis in the DSM-IV-TR. 

The GAF does not use the terms “high” or “low” functioning, but uses a numeric scale from 0 to 100, based on a person's overall and cumulative rating in social, occupational, academic and psychological functioning. While it does include communication, it is not completely based on one's ability to speak. 

I recall that some of the community definitions used speaking and some used IQ as the defining criteria for functioning. However, there seems to be problems with that. For one, there are critics of IQ test results who say that IQ tests are only for measuring learning, not for assessing ability. Researchers have been critical of IQ tests towards Autistics since a lot of tests are language and cultural reference specific, and results are inaccurate. As for using speaking as a defining criteria, it has been noted that the ability to speak does not indicate ability to communicate and articulate, nor does it accurately represent abilities in other functioning areas.

The symptoms of Asperger syndrome look slightly different in girls than in boys, according to a study published earlier this month in Research in Developmental Disabilities1. This study and a spate of other recent ones suggest that with available diagnostic tests, higher-functioning girls with autism are being diagnosed either later than boys, or are altogether missed. 

In the new study, Swedish researchers showed that 18 new questions on a revised Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire lead to very different response profiles for school-age boys versus girls who have Asperger syndrome.

Asperger Syndrome is a growing issue with children, as more and more are being diagnosed, and at earlier ages. Its acceptance has now become apparent in the media and how Aspergers and Asperger-like people are portrayed.

Having first hand experience with raising a child with Aspergers, you get to know the quirks of how your child operates. Not every Aspie is the same. They are described to be on a spectrum, ranging from one end to another (mild to severe) and how functional they are.

Primetime television in the last few years has introduced us a new group of TV characters who either have Asperger Syndrome or its characteristics. Whether you are a parent of an Asperger child, a sibling or a friend, you might recognize these following shows, which are making an attempt to portray aspie-like characters.

The Big Bang Theory is a wonderful show on CBS that documents the

Good News for the Autism community, and for the cross disability movement as a whole. Ari Ne'eman has been announced as one of President Obama's latest Presidential Appointees. He is currently awaiting confirmation by the senate for a position on the National Council on Disability. You can read the press release on the White House website here, as well as the names and Bios of other Appointees.

This is a big step forward for the Autism Community, particularly (but not exclusively) for the Neurodiversity movement. Ari has been pushing for the needs- and rights- of the Autistic community for years, and to have him appointed to the NCD is certainly the next move in his unrelenting efforts to promote our cause. He has also been involved in cross-disability efforts, an important thing to keep in mind.