“But They’re So High-Functioning”: Why That’s Not a Compliment

In disability support work, language matters. Terms like “high-functioning” and “low-functioning” are still commonly used to describe people on the autism spectrum or with intellectual disability—but these labels are not just unhelpful, they’re often harmful.

While “high-functioning” may sound like a compliment, it can actually erase the person’s challenges and make it harder for them to receive support. On the other hand, calling someone “low-functioning” can underestimate their strengths, interests, and potential.

What’s Wrong with “High-Functioning”?

Describing someone as “high-functioning” usually means they’re able to mask or manage their support needs in a way that makes others more comfortable. But this label ignores what might be happening behind the scenes—like exhaustion, anxiety, or a lack of appropriate accommodations.

Some reasons this label can be harmful:

• It sets unrealistic expectations and can lead to burnout.

• It invalidates the person’s request for support (“You seem fine to me”).

• It rewards people for masking their disability instead of being themselves.

• It places value on appearing “normal” rather than being supported authentically.

 “Low-Functioning” Isn’t Helpful Either

On the flip side, calling someone “low-functioning” can be deeply limiting. It focuses on what they can’t do, rather than what they can—and can shape the way others talk to, care for, and include them.

It may lead to:

• Exclusion from decision-making

• Missed opportunities for learning and growth

• Assumptions that they don’t have preferences, opinions, or a sense of humour

• Reduced expectations for independence or social participation

A Better Way to Talk About Support Needs

Instead of using labels, we can describe people based on their support needs in specific areas. For example:

• “They need support with communication but are independent with personal care.”

• “They experience sensory overload in noisy environments.”

• “They use a speech device and prefer written instructions.”

 This approach is more respectful, more accurate, and more helpful—especially for support workers, educators, and peers.

Seeing the Person First

People are more than a label. Everyone has strengths. Everyone has challenges. Everyone deserves to be supported as an individual, not as a “functioning level.”

Let’s retire the language that ranks people by how well they blend in—and start seeing disability through a lens of respect, context, and humanity.