Moderate-to-high functioning autism.

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Is anyone else on the border between MFA and HFA? What is it like for you?

I have this mixed functioning. Do you mean day to day life?
It is confusing and frustrating...need trigger words to write it here. Though at least a few descriptions fit fairly well.

I have high intellectual functioning. But I cannot fill in forms, or carry out tasks that most people my age would find easy (anything from struggling to tie my shoelaces to answering the phone to anyone but a few people and going into a supermarket). I have communication difficulties and severe sensory issues. I need a full time support worker at uni. I have daily meltdowns and often self harm during them. When I am very distressed in public, I can display challenging behaviour. I have been put in secure units in the past when my challenging behaviour became severe.

I used to live in supported housing but I got out of that hell hole and now I live alone in my dad's second property. But I have frequent support worker visits and I don't talk to anyone on my street.

I have social issues that present as me having nearly no interest in other people unless they're a professional. I have pretty much no interest or desire to socialise although I do have two friends who live 50 miles away each. But I only see these people in times of practical need.

I have huge problems with understanding nonverbal communication.

I need support just to leave my local area (although I can sort of manage going to buy a bottle of Pepsi in the corner shop, so long as I don't have to speak to anyone).

My intelligence is actually low average. Cognitively I am able to learn well.
Often do repetitive language and often mix language verbally, with mild speech impairment.
I have lower social skills. Most people do not understand how low my social and communication falls. Professionals often need to be told I'm autistic.
Sensory is severe-moderate, my brain has difficulty with planning and sequencing new movement too.

My emotions are profoundly unstable without enough medication. A cat or dog is necessary for me.
Meltdowns are few, SIB. At times have had dangerous hitting only to my aide.
I can be highly resistant or have difficulty coping with changes. I may not recognize danger and/or put myself in danger.

Edit: this took a while.

Thanks.

Might as well post. I don't really listen or pay attention to "high functioning" and all that stuff anymore to be honest.

Intellectually and cognitively I am a VERY high functioning individual; I'm probably more functioning than neurotypicals, which really begs the question....

I have social anxiety, but I suspect this may have actually gotten worse. I'm actually not sure whether I'm naturally as shy as I am. What I do remember is that middle school definitely set me back, and honestly it's incurable. I'm fine with one-on-one socialization and I can pick up cues when a common subject is being shared. I just hate extrovert, small talk, school-like socialization. Ugh. Cure me not.

I'm pretty able to live independently. Don't have meltdowns (anymore), overall, a normal functioning being. Even eye contact and body language aren't issues. The only issue I have is that I'm impaired socially (but again, I'm convinced it's irreversible at this point and not worth bothering) and my delusions of grandeur.

Just wondering what makes you think you have low intelligence, if as you say you learn well? Just because someone says you're not intelligent doesn't mean you're not smart.

Many say I'm smart, IQ always tests low average. The thing is, autism apparently splits my academic and other mental skills. Socially (and with behavior) I can appear mild intellectually disabled. Some abstract learning in basic ways. Needed information may need to be repeated verbally many times. My aid uses my name to keep my attention more on her words.

I might process information more slowly...long sentences might become difficult to follow. Detailed processing items in pieces before the object is recognized.

IQ tests were designed by NT's for testing intelligence of other NT's. In my opinion they don't work for assessing autistics for the following reasons:
1) IQ is a speed game and autistics have slower processing speed
2) My guess is that autistic people find IQ tests boring (well I do), so the only motivation to do well is to prove to other people that you are not stupid (and they tell you that anyway)
3) Pressure to perform, anxiety issues with sitting a test you are not familiar with and the expectations based on preconceived notions of others that due to your social awkwardness you will not perform well

I was not anxious for my last one. IQ tests give a good idea of how you solve problems, use language and with adaptive skills in other official tests.

I found most of the test sections to be challenging. Perform?

Well technically speaking, most (some may say all) psychometric assessments were mainly created by NTs for NTs. Even an ASD assessment designed for individuals on the spectrum can't accurately assess an autistic individual, hence the observation aspect of the diagnosis. (And the same can be said for an ASD assessment designed by autistic individuals.) I just don't think that the person designing the test matters that much, because when you think about it, most of the psychometric assessments and checklists weren't created by people with the disorders or issues they were trying to assess. Robert Hare and his psychopathy checklist is an example. Him not being a "psychopath" doesn't make the test any less valid. I get what you mean though. Excuse the rambling. xD

As for number one, honestly, I think that's really going to depend from person to person. The statement doesn't really apply to everyone, especially those who are considered on the "higher" end of the spectrum. For two and three, those could apply to people with other disorders as well (especially learning disorders) and not just autism. Some people just find tests boring in general and are more kinesthetic learners. Thankfully some IQ tests include new types of questions for different learners now though. Perhaps more kinesthetic-based IQ tests would be a good idea for IQ assessment of autistic individuals (and/or those with similar disorders)? That way they won't be seen as boring - perhaps they could even be seen as fun (mainly to children who aren't aware they're being assessed, I suppose) one day. By the way, whoever told you that your IQ is being assessed to prove you're not stupid is wrong and IMO they should have their license revoked. No professional should be saying anything like that.

Also, actually, IQ tests were originally designed to weed out the students with intellectual disabilities (or perhaps simply what we would now call learning disorders and differences) from ones who could function in a normal classroom. They were just later adapted (by American psychologists) to assess intellectual ability (in the modern day sense), but originally, that wasn't the intention. But then again, they're still mainly used for that same purpose - identifying learning disorders or other potential issues.

Agreed. They may not be perfect - especially for individuals who may have cognitive differences - but they can be useful. And interestingly, I remember one study showing how IQ remained stable in autistic individuals as well. It'll be interesting to see more longitudinal studies about IQ and autistic individuals to see how accurate/stable it is or isn't and perhaps why it doesn't always relate to overall functioning (such as an individual with an IQ of 125 having more difficulties than say someone with an IQ of 70).

How often are you guys having yours tested though? I didn't know people had them done often... The only one I'm aware of ever having was for gifted placement in elementary school.

Lots of stuff in common with SteelMaiden and Lumi. Am told I'm very intelligent, but don't do so good academically overall. Advanced in some areas but behind in others. I need a lot of the type of care a child much younger than me needs. I'm able to be very outgoing on forums, but can't get past being very withdrawn in real life. Have

The last two were maybe one year apart. The official one was at 21. Also diagnosed with cognitive impairment then (turns out incorrect).
My former OT had my mom complete an adaptive functioning questionnaire about me. Medical professionals tell me only what I should know.

I know I'm too curious and don't understand.

It's frustrating. Seeing people functioning perfectly fine and not appreciating it makes me empathise with my grandparents' speech (and likely many others) "the young don't appreciate their health".
It makes me chuckle, but although there are some things I am glad of (being okay on my own, not liking small talk, having a special interest) there are those that I am not glad of (being unable to talk to strangers, becoming incredibly upset if my routine is disturbed, finding it difficult to leave the house, a fear of unknown people and things, the list goes on).
I've never taken an IQ test, and I don't plan on taking one, it may destroy what is left of my sniveling self-esteem. Plus, I don't see the point, it'd just be another reason to hate myself.