Talk about functioning labels. What is your opinion about functioning labels? Where are you on the spectrum? If you don’t like functioning labels how would you describe your functioning ability?
I think functioning labels are rude and inaccurate. They are a way to dismiss the needs of the ‘high functioning’ and dismiss the abilities of the ‘low functioning.’ Saying a person is high or low functioning doesn’t actually provide any information as every person has a mix of functioning ability that could vary depending on the day or task.
As a whole, I’m pretty functional. I can speak verbally and have mastered all the basic selfcare skills such as washing, eating, dressing. But just because I can do these things most of the time doesn’t mean I can do them all of the time, or in every situation. At home I can speak easily and coherently to my parents and close relatives, while to other people or out in public I may not be able to talk at all or I may be less articulate. And while most of the time I don’t have any problem showering or making something to eat there are other times when I can’t manage to take a shower properly if at all or I will sit there and be hungry because I can’t make myself something to eat. There are days when I’m not able to leave the house (at least not in a presentable manner) because I haven’t been able to wash my clothes. So, while I am capable of doing these simple tasks I cannot always do them in a reliable manner and this excludes me, at least at the present time, from living independently.
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