In the Autism communities, the terms “high functioning” and “low functioning” are used quite a lot. However, when asked, the communities are unable to agree upon defining criteria for each. This has led me to look for a clinical description for each, specifically for Autism. However, I was only able to find the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), which is not Autism specific but can be applied to all diagnosis in the DSM-IV-TR.
The GAF does not use the terms “high” or “low” functioning, but uses a numeric scale from 0 to 100, based on a person's overall and cumulative rating in social, occupational, academic and psychological functioning. While it does include communication, it is not completely based on one's ability to speak.
I recall that some of the community definitions used speaking and some used IQ as the defining criteria for functioning. However, there seems to be problems with that. For one, there are critics of IQ test results who say that IQ tests are only for measuring learning, not for assessing ability. Researchers have been critical of IQ tests towards Autistics since a lot of tests are language and cultural reference specific, and results are inaccurate. As for using speaking as a defining criteria, it has been noted that the ability to speak does not indicate ability to communicate and articulate, nor does it accurately represent abilities in other functioning areas.
The symptoms of Asperger syndrome look slightly different in girls than in boys, according to a study published earlier this month in Research in Developmental Disabilities1. This study and a spate of other recent ones suggest that with available diagnostic tests, higher-functioning girls with autism are being diagnosed either later than boys, or are altogether missed.
In the new study, Swedish researchers showed that 18 new questions on a revised Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire lead to very different response profiles for school-age boys versus girls who have Asperger syndrome.
Autism Women's Network 2011 Kudos to the Autism Community
Written by Sharon daVanport
Early April 2011 began with Rethinking Autism releasing their newest PSA: Autism Support Group. It was really great to see actress, and autistic advocate, Tammy Klein starring in the newly released Public Service Announcement. What an amazing message and rockin' video coming from Dana Commandatore and Michael Broderick's camp again!
During the month of May we saw the release of one of the most widely acclaimed and honored autism documentaries, Loving Lampposts: Living Autistic. The film's director, Todd Drezner captures the diversity of autism, the community, and the many voices therein, by simultaneously shining a light on the many angles of autism and neurodiversity.
Then there were blogs, blogs and more blogs! In 2011, the autism community made an about face from years past when this year it insisted that blogging positive was the way to go for autism advocacy's future. The shining stars whom the autism community praised as 'getting it right' not only did so due to their authentic approach, but because of their honest style, and their insistence on hurting no one in the process.
Perhaps the most buzzed about blogs are those of autistic advocate Rachel Cohen-Rottenberg's, Journeys with Autism: "Autistic Blogs" and "Positive Autism Parenting Blogs." Rachel explains, "The divide between autistics and parents can feel very deep and wide, but I’m determined to help bridge it by highlighting blogs that I feel do an excellent job of balancing the challenges of parents with respect for autistic people."
Autism and Empathy: Dispelling Myths and Breaking Stereotypes is Rachel's other blog where she posts a variety of contributions from other bloggers as well as personally blogging herself in this richly vulnerable and honest format which lays bare the many colors of truth encompassing the autism spectrum via empathy, tolerance, and loving acceptance.
New to the blogosphere is autistic advocate, and sex and disability blogger, Lindsey Nebeker. Lindsey's blog at Naked Brain Ink includes a recent post with an informative slideshow addressing the barriers which disabled people oftentimes face, and why sexual rights and disability advocacy matter.
Happy Five Year Anniversary ASAN! Tonight, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s celebration will take place at The National Press Club in Washington, DC from 6:30–9:00 pm.
The 1st Annual Award for Exceptional Services to the Autistic Community will be given to Kathryn Bjornstad and Autism Women's Network Director of Networking, Corina Becker. Bjornstad and Becker are the creators of Autistics Speaking Day. This award is given to those who have helped to build the Autistic community through exceptional advocacy, ingenuity or service.
Girls with Autism Face Adjustments in Middle School
As Maggie grew older, her parents Rick and Laura suspected more and more that their daughter had autism. They knew that boys usually were diagnosed with autism more frequently than girls were. In fact, boys have 4 to 5 times more of a chance to be identified with autism than girls do.
For girls, current statistics indicate that 1 in 315 have autism. In Maggie’s case, her cousin had been diagnosed with autism as a toddler. The question for her family was whether Maggie had autism, too.
ASD Specialist, Dr. Tony Attwood is assisting with this research project, and it is open to anyone over 18 years of age. This study includes determining the degree of autistic traits with sex and gender outcomes, so people not on the autism spectrum are invited to participate as well.
Upon completion of survey, participants will be entered into a drawing to win an iPad2, $20 iTunes and/or Amazon vouchers.
My diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 25 brought with it an interesting mix of emotions. First on the list was an incredible sense of relief and validation. After too many years of wondering why things seemed so hard for me, and why I was never able to just “get it,” I finally had an explanation. I felt like I had been given permission not to feel weak, lazy, and deeply flawed.
My psychologist compared growing up with a diagnosis to running a marathon with prosthetic legs, and growing up without a diagnosis to trying to run a marathon with no legs at all. For the first time, I felt like someone understood how hard I had worked to get to this point in my life. I finally knew the reason why I often had to put forth more effort than others, yet had less to show for it.
International Sports Exchange for Athletes with Disabilities
Recognizing the need for inclusiveness in the world of sports and people-to-people exchanges, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that it will bring 14 athletes from Kazakhstan to the United States to participate in an inaugural exchange for athletes with physical disabilities. During the 10-day exchange, these male and female sitting volleyball players will participate in clinics and games with their American counterparts in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, including with the U.S. Men and Women’s Sitting Volleyball teams and USA Volleyball. Sitting volleyball is a Paralympic sport for both men and women.
Sports diplomacy builds on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power diplomacy.” It embraces the use of a full range of diplomatic tools, including sports, to bring individuals together to strengthen people-to-people relationships and to foster greater understanding.
In the Autism communities, the terms “high functioning” and “low functioning” are used quite a lot. However, when asked, the communities are unable to agree upon defining criteria for each. This has led me to look for a clinical description for each, specifically for Autism. However, I was only able to find the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), which is not Autism specific but can be applied to all diagnosis in the DSM-IV-TR. 
The symptoms of Asperger syndrome look slightly different in girls than in boys, according to a study published earlier this month in Research in Developmental Disabilities1. This study and a spate of other recent ones suggest that with available diagnostic tests, higher-functioning girls with autism are being diagnosed either later than boys, or are altogether missed. 
Early April 2011 began with 
Happy Five Year Anniversary ASAN! Tonight, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s 
You’re worth it. 
As Maggie grew older, her parents Rick and Laura suspected more and more that their daughter had autism. They knew that boys usually were diagnosed with autism more frequently than girls were. In fact, boys have 4 to 5 times more of a chance to be identified with autism than girls do.
My diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder at age 25 brought with it an interesting mix of emotions. First on the list was an incredible sense of relief and validation. After too many years of wondering why things seemed so hard for me, and why I was never able to just “get it,” I finally had an explanation. I felt like I had been given permission not to feel weak, lazy, and deeply flawed.
Recognizing the need for inclusiveness in the world of sports and people-to-people exchanges, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today that it will bring 14 athletes from Kazakhstan to the United States to participate in an inaugural exchange for athletes with physical disabilities. During the 10-day exchange, these male and female sitting volleyball players will participate in clinics and games with their American counterparts in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, including with the U.S. Men and Women’s Sitting Volleyball teams and USA Volleyball. Sitting volleyball is a Paralympic sport for both men and women. 
