Doing some research - can you help me?

[Oracle]

I really hope that it's OK to post this because I need some help with a paper I am about to write regarding Autism and the words 'High Functioning' I would really like some feed back from parents about what the words 'High Functioning' imply/say to them. I don't want this in the context of autism just what the words 'High Functioning' means to you?

I am not a professional I am a parent who has two sons with autism and to have a cross section of answers from other parents would really help me a great deal.

I promise that I will post here about my paper when I am through writing it.

Many Thanks

Oracle

To me, "high functioning" gives an impression of efficiency.

Thank you to everyone who has posted.

I really do think that when professionals say High Functioning they mean that they child does not have any learning difficulties, and yet again I would question this, because while the academic abilities may be sound for some but not all of our children and adults their social abilities can be severly impaired.

Just as Harrisey has posted day to day life skills can be in very short supply.

Oracle

I would very much like to use some of the quotes that were posted here in my paper on High Functioning Autism - no one will be named. Has anyone who posted here any objections to my using quotes from their posts?

The paper is going to be part of an on-line autism conference taking place next month.

Oracle

I would guess high functioning would mean someone who would not have been diagnosed as autistic 40 or 50 years ago because they don't appear that different to anyone else.

Will now read the rest of the thread to see what everyone else thinks.

Message withdrawn

I'm assuming I shoulnd't read the thread first to find out the 'answer' ... so I would take this to mean on the autism spectrum but high level - Aspergers -ish, I guess. Capable of standard schooling with help and support.

I have 2 nt sons and do not, as yet, come into contact with anybody on the autistic spectrum. The phrase "high functioning" would not mean anything to me, in this, or any other, context.