high functioning and low functioning are both common medical term which are actually very harmful to use.
they're often used to measure how easy disabled people are to interact with and not actually how their disorder affects them.
when someone is labelled as high functioning, people assume they have no struggles whatsoever, so they don't look out for them. and then they might have a meltdown or burnout because they've had to push through those feelings all of the time.
and when someone is labelled as low functioning, people assume they're stupid or something along those lines, so they baby low functioning people. even when they're full-grown adults!
(when i use the term "disabled" i mean anyone who is affected by a learning disability or anything similar, if my usage of this term comes off as offensive, just know that i apologise, but i am saying all of this as a disabled person, so ofc i wouldn't use that term to purposefully harm anyone!)
they're often used to measure how easy disabled people are to interact with and not actually how their disorder affects them.
when someone is labelled as high functioning, people assume they have no struggles whatsoever, so they don't look out for them. and then they might have a meltdown or burnout because they've had to push through those feelings all of the time.
and when someone is labelled as low functioning, people assume they're stupid or something along those lines, so they baby low functioning people. even when they're full-grown adults!
(when i use the term "disabled" i mean anyone who is affected by a learning disability or anything similar, if my usage of this term comes off as offensive, just know that i apologise, but i am saying all of this as a disabled person, so ofc i wouldn't use that term to purposefully harm anyone!)
Person 1: so you have high functioning autism?
Person 2: on the outside that may be true for you, but on the inside life is very difficult for me, so i'd prefer if you didn't force functioning labels on me and just do your best to support me instead.
P1: oh crap, sorry man, thanks for explaining
Person 2: on the outside that may be true for you, but on the inside life is very difficult for me, so i'd prefer if you didn't force functioning labels on me and just do your best to support me instead.
P1: oh crap, sorry man, thanks for explaining
by eboybur June 11, 2022
Get the functioning labels mug.Related Words
labal
• labalabadou
• labala
• labalabaloo
• Labaloo
• label
• laba
• Labelass
• label whore
• LaBamba
Daniel Labelle is a comedic Youtuber. He uses his outstanding editing skills and physical fitness to make hilarious skits in the comfort of his own home.
Daniel LaBelle is perhaps best known for his "If people lagged in real life" series, showing how lag could be problematic if it happened in real life.
by Ubeenbamboozledson April 16, 2023
Get the Daniel LaBelle mug.It's a meme and warning phrase in Bengali, first used by a politician from West Bengal. It refers to 'will beat you very hard.' Also, it's a title of a song.
Son: Umm, Papa, I like a girl, I think I love her.... She's so beautiful, Oh my gosh!
Papa: Sutiye Laal Kore Debo, Nongrami Ber Kore Debo will remove all those dirts from your mind
Papa: Sutiye Laal Kore Debo, Nongrami Ber Kore Debo will remove all those dirts from your mind
by typical Indian October 8, 2023
Get the Sutiye Laal Kore Debo mug.by Kamani laban November 20, 2023
Get the Kamani Laban mug.The cognitive distortion where, once a person is diagnosed with a mental illness, given a political label, or otherwise categorized, everything they subsequently do or say is interpreted through that label. Their rational arguments become "symptoms," their emotions become "proof of instability," and their identity is reduced to the diagnosis.
Example: A politician with a known anxiety disorder criticizes a policy. Opponents immediately frame it: "She's just having a panic attack about change. Her critique isn't logical, it's pathological." The clothing label bias uses the diagnosis as a pre-emptive discount on all future speech, confusing the person for the condition.
by Dumu The Void February 9, 2026
Get the Clothing Label Bias mug.LGBTQ+ (usually) labels that seem to contradict each other, used simultaneously.
A few examples: straight gay, lesboy, turigirl, afab trans woman, etc.
These identities don't have to make sense to you, as labels are meant to reflect one's own perception of themselves. Plus, language and culture are constantly evolving.
Remember: diminishing other queer people for having atypical experiences is ultimately unhelpful in our acceptance.
Sometimes, these labels are used to better describe someone's experiences with gender and sexuality — for example, an intersex AFAB woman may still identify as transgender because they feel it best describes them.
A few examples: straight gay, lesboy, turigirl, afab trans woman, etc.
These identities don't have to make sense to you, as labels are meant to reflect one's own perception of themselves. Plus, language and culture are constantly evolving.
Remember: diminishing other queer people for having atypical experiences is ultimately unhelpful in our acceptance.
Sometimes, these labels are used to better describe someone's experiences with gender and sexuality — for example, an intersex AFAB woman may still identify as transgender because they feel it best describes them.
person 1: i identify as straight and gay.
person 2: i don't fully understand contradictory labels, but i respect you because you know yourself best
person 1: thanks! i'm dating your mom and dad btw
person 2: what the fuck
person 2: i don't fully understand contradictory labels, but i respect you because you know yourself best
person 1: thanks! i'm dating your mom and dad btw
person 2: what the fuck
by itigo October 26, 2024
Get the contradictory label mug.