OT--HFA/LFA--one mom's opinion

[Guest guest]

,Regina and group,

When Colin was diagnosed with autism in 1994,he was about to turn three. He

had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy a few months before his first birthday.

The developmental pediatrician who diagnosed autism did not characterize his

level of functioning. She advised us to seek out local families who had kids

with autism and select whatever interventions we were comfortable with--actually

she said that in a politically correct manner AND used correct grammar too!

In the six months following the diagnosis of autism,I read everything I

could find. I also began talking with other parents of kids with ASDs. Some of

us formed a parent group.

Back in 1994 and 1996,I understood that if a child was able to speak by age

five,the child was high functioning. I guess all non verbal children were low

functioning. Later,I heard or read that the criteria for a child to be

considered high functioning was that the child was able to use spoken language

for functional communication before age five.

Looking back,I think I just rejected the whole idea of summing up my child's

potential in such a negative way. Colin is now a teenager. He has many assets

and some deficits. He is a great communicator. He knows how to identify a

potential communication partner and how to get the attention of that person. He

has many ways of communicating his message. He can use pointing and gestures

and facial expressions. He can type his message and use VOCA or just have his

partner read the message. He observes closely to evaluate whether his message

has been understood. If he is doubtful,he will employ one of his repair

strategies. He will persist until he is understood or he loses interest.

I think the HFA/LFA terms arose out of the professionals who work with

people with ASDs as a kind of short hand. I don't think these terms tell us

much of anything about real people.

,Colin P's mom

Re: [ ] OT: Is anyone else annoyed by references to

" functioning-level? "

Regina,

I recently got on this soapbox when my family was featured on a PBS special

in PA so I could not resist answering.

I do not think it is fair or accurate to deem a child " high functioning " or

" low functioning " . I know children who can read well but tantrum constantly.

I know children who are in regular ed and basically indistinguishable but have

tolieting accidents twice a week.

I was once told by an admistrator that if my son attended a certain school

he would be " the lowest functioning student here " . I politely asked the

administrator what areas was he referring to.....if he was referring to his

expressive language level, I might agree. But, my son's behaviors are great,

he

doesn't tantrum, he is not aggressive, he is toliet trained and has excellent

receptive language and imitation skills.

So here's my soap box>>>

Don't try to line children up in terms of high functioning or low

functioning. Look at all their strengths and needs within all domains

.....language,

social, self care, leisure skills, behaviors, etc. Use their strengths and

work on the weakness to help them become as independent and happy as possible.

Barbera, RN, MSN, BCBA

(Mom to Lucas, ASD, just turned 8, and Spencer NT, 6)