Are you 'low-functioning'?

[Effy]

I think I am. I really hate it, too, because I crave independence and the ability to fit in and "be normal". I can't hold a job/handle the stresses of a job, I can't stand being around people in general, and I represent many of the 'severe' autism 'symptoms' (as found here).

(But really, what even IS 'low-functioning'?)

Anyways, I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else here can't hold down a job/support themselves, has tons of anxiety, and deals with constant judgment from their family because of all of this. :|

My family doesn't even consider how I feel about this stuff; they think I just don't care/sit around doing nothing. I don't do nothing - I actually have a consulting business I run via the Internet. I don't constantly get clients, but it gives me money I need to afford my hobbies and interests... why should I save up money to go out with friends when I'm feeling fine and having fun all by myself, hobbies and all? >.>

 

[The Penguin]

I always had trouble keeping a job. Most of the time it layoffs and other times I can't keep up on the line so the let me go. I been on unemployment insurance 6 times in my life and welfare 3 times. I have been living on my own since 17. It has been very hard and I haven't had family support like other people do for their lives.

 

[icesyckel]

My psych explained to me that high and low functioning are completely unrelated to the "severity" of the autism. You can have "severe" facets/components to your autism (e.g., severe social anxiety, severe auditory sensitivity, etc.) and be high functioning. Conversely, all the facets/components of your autism can be "mild" yet you are low functioning.

This is because high versus low functioning it an outcome. You either are able to function highly, accomplishing your goals in life, or your autism prevents you from doing so. The more autism "handicaps" you/prevents you from your goals, the lower your functioning.

Some people have mild to moderate symptoms and are completely able to hold down any kind of a job. Some people despite suffering severe symptoms obtain and excel in the profession of their choosing. Obviously, the more severe the symptoms, the more difficult it sometimes is to function highly. Still, some manage to overcome even the greatest adversities in living with autism.

My psych also explained that there is a significant correlation between IQ and high functioning. Not all with a high IQ function highly, but very few with a low IQ function highly. This is because some people with higher than average intelligence/IQ lean on that to function at a higher level than would otherwise be possible. Others he told me are extremely intelligent but choose not to integrate and prefer to live outwardly different lives, even if it means functioning at a lower level (difficulty maintaining regular employment, etc.).

Ultimately, I think it is all somewhat subjective. Either your autism prevents you from living the life you want to live and accomplishing your goals, or it doesn't. In my case, it has actually helped at times. At others it has been nearly disabling. On the whole I am regarded as "high functioning," but I sometimes am so anxious as a result of all the coping mechanisms needed to be high functioning that I feel as if I will have a heart attack. So, I am higher functioning at some times than at others. I don't think it is always a static condition. Does that help? Did I misunderstand what you were getting at?

 

[King_Oni]

Employment seems to an issue, as is living on my own. But they are somewhat in relation to each other. Living on my own seems to be limited by the inability to hold a job and thus depend on government assistance.

I have no anxiety and such though; I just happen to have a hard to adjusting to environments to be a productive employee I guess. I'm one of those who needs be able to decide how a job needs to be done and apply my own logic and such. Hence why many times, I've been told that freelancing, and with that of course, freelancing whatever I enjoy doing, is the most probable way for me to be employed. It's why college failed for me; inabiilty to work in a team and the inability to work within set rules.

Though; I do most of my daily things independently. I do my own laundry, cook my own meals, do groceries, take care of my finances as well as other business. I think my living arrangement suits more if I would put it as "I'm sharing a house with 2 people who happen to be my parents" (and do this for practical reasons) rather than.. "I'm the basement dweller that lives with his parents"

 

[icesyckel]

Oni, you almost seem moderate-functioning, if that is a term. It is affecting you, but not completely impairing all your goals and ADL's. Also, unlike me, you lack the extreme anxiety.

Ironically, my psych suggested my anxiety might actually be motivating me to function higher. It is as if that is the cost I have to pay. He observed that people who don't have the anxiety tend to be unconcerned about the impact of shunning the arbitrary rules of NT society (I struggle immensely with arbitrary authority but manage to keep going by stressing over the consequences of shunning it).

 

[Tyler Ford]

I honestly don't know if I'm high or low functioning...

 

[abby normal]

I suspect I am on the lower half of the functioning thingie. I barely could hold a job, and there was more than an element of luck keeping me from the mean streets and keeping me from having to sleep under bridges.

 

[dregj]

not a clue
I have had 60 jobs
this is apparently not a good thing

 

[Judge]

not a clue
I have had 60 jobs
this is apparently not a good thing

Not necessarily. It shows you are able to get the job...just not hold onto it. You've got something going for you to be able to apply and be hired to that many employers. Something I don't have.

I can hold onto a job tenaciously for years-even decades. But just getting my foot in the door was and always will be a huge challenge. And now at my age, no one wants me because of the benefits issues.

It's all a matter of perspective...

 

[Kari Suttle]

Functioning as in how well i can function and get through life on my own - rather than severity of autism, as that is totally unrelated - i would say a mix of low and high functioning. I can buy my own groceries, cook for myself (somewhat well), do my own laundry, all of that stuff. But I can't drive even at 23 and i had a lot of trouble getting a job - years of several summers of trying and failing. I guess the (suspected) aspie in me doesn't make a good impression despite my best efforts to look presentable, be polite, etc. I look good on paper but in person i just dont think i cut it. I did manage to get a job - two, if you count babysitting which i got through my mom cause she knew someone that needed a full time sitter. I made it fine on my own living in a dorm for two years though, even if i got really depressed there. I could walk to the store or go with some girls i knew there - i say knew because looking back, i don't think we were as close friends as i thought we were. But i don't have any idea how to get insurance on my own, and i dont know if i'd have the social or business skills to get a good paying job even after i get my bachelors degree. My part time job, they don't seem very picky at all on who they hire. They didn't even interview me they just put the paperwork in front of me and i was hired. Its really good for me that they did give me a chance, though. And have kept me for nearly two years. I don't have good social skills and i've never had a job before the one i have now, so i was lucky. Its taught me a lot though, been invaluable to me experience wise. I'm just scared that after i get my degree no one will want to give me a chance when there's so many other people with the same degree that present much better than me.