What level of functioning do you think I am?

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Somebody had a forum about what level functioning you are, so i was thinking to myself about this the other day as well, even after watching miracle run. My bf says I'm just moderate functioning, all my doctors tell me i'm functioning enough with some good days that i seem high functioning. Meaning, Moderate-High functioning autism. I always wondered though, maybe its the opposite, I'm high functioning with moderate functioning days... hmm so I don't know, so thats why I'm asking people here what do you think by the description I give you below

I have no friends(maybe one), dont work, not going to school at the moment, still need help with the daily tasks, need assitance going out places usually, self help skills are weak, I even still have problems remembering to flush lol, need constant reminders on how to do things or will just end up going back into my own little world, stim all the time(such as spinning, headshaking, finger twisting, rocking, flapping and etc), don't give good eye contact still, have problems feeding myself meaning, if not taking care of food wise, won't eat, can't be touched expecially unexpectingly or i freak, still hold my ears in loud situations, sometimes still use sign in order to communicate, still have meltdowns in public, still have been known to wander off haha, still sometimes seem nonverbal, touching everything I see, including everything royal blue, and everything soft haha, have bad implusions, obsessed with closing and opening things such as doors, and switching lights on and off(STILL to this day do both those things), have to stay on routine or I instantly meltdown to the point that I'm completely nonverbal again, I would also have to say I need somewhat constant supervision when it comes to going anywhere that involves malls, weddings, parties, anything where theres a lot of people, still do the stereotype autistic things such as lining up everything I see and still do self injurious behaviors unfortunely, still cant deal with change that good even if its a new hair cut or pair of shoes, bad receptive and expressive language and have huge sensory problems that stop me from doing a lot .

I do have a boyfriend for about 2 years next week, i do drive(somewhat good too!), i volunteer everywhere including for homeless shelters, shelters for abused and abandoned teens, hospitals, environmental programs, I'm even a big sister part of big sister/big brother program, I can go places by myself (just rarely), can do laundry without a problem, I know how to make breakfast(eggs, bacon, toast), tuna melt, sandwiches and anything frozen lol, I take care of my two cats, and my two lizards on my own, have held a job before, will start college classes once again this summer, can handle some social situations, sometimes so good its unbelievable, can socialize sometimes I seem so natural at it I amaze myself, I'm even known around town as extremely friendly and sweet, I still babysit if anybody needs me, can even take care of children without a problem, can keep my room pretty clean, can make friends somewhat easily, the keeping part is the problem haha, love to crab and fish, can jet ski(even know how to do several tricks on the jet skis, even raced when i was younger as well), and drive a boat without a problem !

So I was wondering what would you classify me under? High functioning? Moderate-High functioning? Just plain Moderate functioning? Low-Moderate functioning

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Being Normal Is Vastly Overrated

hey:)

that was really cool and brave to share what you did!

so in reading your first paragraph, seemed you're really having a rough time with lots of things. but then in your second paragraph seems you're doing great in many things. like a boyfriend of 2yrs! that's awesome! in a way, it's like your second paragraph doesn't fit with the first paragraph. you can do tons of social things. from the first paragraph i would have never though you'd be a ble to do all the great things in your second paragraph.

so my own rating for your functioning would be - for the 1st paragraph - like #3 in my poll with the exception of #10 for boyfriend.
but for ur 2nd paragraph I'd say you're well above #5 in generals.

You sound like someone with classical autism; high-functioning in that you can communicate adequately [unless overwhelmed], and can interact with those around you, even socially.

The, not eating unless your food is prepared for you will push you down, i.e., your self-help skills aren't as good as someone with Asperger's (for the most part); would you die if you weren't taken care of in the food department?

Your post pointed out why generic functioning levels are a problem; we're all over the place, some of us are good in one thing, bad in the other.

An adult with autism is what I'd peg you as, and leave it at that.

Hmm...I am similar in many ways like you.

I would label you mid to high functioning. My brother is mentally ill and he's pretty functional as well, and since you're capable of knowing what you are doing you still have high-function abilities.

I'd label myself high-functioning but there are days where I seem so low functioning that I confuse myself. I still need to be repeatedly told to do the simplest of tasks, needing to get walked through simplest of tasks (I couldn't work a coffee/tea machine without visualization), I am very weak and constantly need help with lifting things, and noises restricts many outdoor activities/labor. I have anxiety every day. I have meltdowns in public when I can't leave when I want to and when I'm at gatherings I am sitting by myself to avoid people. If I get bothered I will become very annoyed and angry. I don't like these events because I'm always looked down as an a**hole because I don't talk to anyone and I ignore the people. I also won't eat unless I am feeling fatigued. There are times when I have to do presentations at school that my voice just cracks a minute into it and for the rest of the day I won't talk. Very embarrasing. I do have a person or two I talk to at times. I won't go out in public unless I am feeling at least 85% comfortable. Shopping is hell to me, and I go back and forth repeatedly in aisles deciding if I want one item or the other. Sports? Ha.

Then there are days where I'm very normal. I socialize, I walk straight, I smile at everyone and everything, and like you I am considered friendly and nice by many people. It is very weird.

Moderate functioning... and quite intelligent.



If:

high functioning = minimal deficets and full ability to care for one-self
moderate functioning = some deficets and required assistance at least part of the time
low functioning = severe deficets and required assistance most or all of the time

...and you leave intelligence out of the determining criteria. Why do this? There are highly intelligent autistics who still cannot take care of themselves at all and frequently bump into walls, flap their arms, and generally can't care for themselves, yet pschology would currently diagnose them as highly functioing just because they score above 70 on an IQ test? That categorization makes no sense!

Most on this site would fall into the 'high functioing' category, while a select few on this site would also be perhaps low functioning.

i saw that post on your blog, the one you talked about, did you ever know that person? why would he/she write that?? when i saw it i wondered why you hadn't deleted it but maybe i saw it before yous (jersey talk). i see ya took down your link to your blog - sorry that happened at your blog

I think you are an extremely high-functioning spirit in a body that puts obstacles in your way,
a body that just hasn't quite adapted to life on this planet. But your spirit will prevail!!

It seems that everything I would want to say, has already been said. I pretty much agree, with all the previous responses. You should be considered inspirational to everyone. You seem to push ahead, where others would give up trying. You could take the easy way out, and be satisfied with living a moderate-function life, but you choose to strive towards high-function. Very brave, you are a strong person and don't accept limits.

I would say you are moderate-functioning, in transition to high-function, and impossible to give a defining label.

I would call you high-functioning, with some bad (moderate-high functioning) days. Even NTs become less functioning on some days due to various factors, doesn't mean they're necessarily lower functioning in terms of overall capabilities.

i'd say high functioning a well.

I would say high functioning. It seems that the difficulties you describe in the first paragraph have a lot to do with sensory difficulties. The bad days you describe sound as though they have a lot to do with sensory issues.

I was thinkign about making a thread like this for myself... but i cant write enough to create a good description.. i am a horrid writer...

but my doctor has me dxed as mid-high functioning... i also have some LFA days... haha...

all depends...

I would put you in my category, Moderate-High functioning...

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