Arian-Sinclair

AFF is my support group

@CloverReef

Yes!~

@BronxWench

I don’t really care for labels except as an extension to describe oneself with clarity, but functioning labels are just used by NTs so often to discredit what auties have to say and not listen to us, whether it’s “But you’re high functioning, so you don’t know what it’s like for my low functioning child!” (Excuse me? But, honey, I’ve got a better idea than you do in all consideration. I’d advise listening to your kid.) or “Oh, they’re low functioning, so they can’t do anything for themselves.” (Darling, I guarantee that “low functioning” person has the ability to do things, just not how you’d go about it because they need a little help, not a damn warden.). It’s annoying and messed up. Of course, this isn’t everyone, it’s just the ones who are ableist. No, Karen, “You don’t seem autistic” is not a complement; that’s just denying me validation of what I already know. You wouldn’t tell a person with arthritis “You don’t seem like you have arthritis” just because they’re doing stuff you wouldn’t expect someone with joint pains to do, and that’s because it’s not exactly the same for everyone, yet autism is stereotypes into behind this particular way when it’s not really like that for everyone. So yeah, definitely pretty saddening we have to use those labels. Support levels would be a lot better than functioning labels.

@Desiderius Price

AFF is an amazing place. :3