What's it like to have LFA?

[Spotty01]

For the record, I looked up the keyword "low-functioning" in the search bar, but none of them seemed to match what I'm asking here, so... moving on.

This is actually something that I've wondered about for a while: what is it like to have "low-functioning" autism, or LFA?

Do we have any people on here that are designated "low-functioning"? If so, then I'd really like to hear from you on this thread. I've seen people IRL with "low-functioning" autism before, but most of them were totally non-verbal and acted... oh jeez, what's the most non-offensive way to say this? To give you the gist, one of them was slamming these metallic ball thingamajigs together, over and over again. Loudly. Otherwise, he didn't say anything or make any sounds, just had this sort of thousand-yard-stare going on. There was one that I attended school with that could speak, but only repeated the same word(s) or sentence(s) over and over again, not seeming to be aware at all that he was doing it.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I actually find it a little... for lack of a better word, creepy. Don't get me wrong, I know they can't control it, I know that's just how they are and that they're just as human as anyone else, we all are. But it still makes me a little anxious when I'm around them.

I'll be totally honest with you, despite the aforementioned brief encounters with people with LFA, I don't know the first thing about it. I don't understand what their general mindset is like, if they're really "aware of themselves" per se, and what really makes them different from people with HFA or Asperger's, if anything at all. That's why I'm asking this question; I'm not going to be an uptight jack*** who simply assumes this or that because I don't understand it, I legit want to ask what it feels like to have LFA, or if it any feels all that different from having HFA. Again, I'm not positive if there is anyone on here with LFA (if so, they're probably few and far between) but, if so, I'd really like to hear from you.

I, for one, have high-functioning autism and, if you're curious about that, I'd say it almost feels like being neurotypical. Almost, except in the ways that matter (social skills, emotional maturity, etc.) Well, that's what it's like to me, anyway. If you want, we can discuss what having HFA or Asperger's feels like from different folks' perspectives as well, no judging here. ^^

 

[Warmheart]

Amy Sequenzia writes a fantastic blog called nonspeakingautisticspeaking. Might be something you'd like to Google.

An excellent book resource is "Through the Eyes of Aliens," by Jasmine Lee O'Neil. Very positive, welcoming book.

Perhaps our member @toothless might have some valuable input. She has some fantastic YouTube videos! Search YouTube for AutieEmlyn, I think. She's wonderfully generous in explaining things about this topic with clarity.

 

[Alaska]

Some non-speaking LFAs can use a computer and even keyboard very well. It is likely that we have some of them on this forum. There does not need to be a mystery about what they think.

 

[Momo]

Less pleasant to live with (as in yourself) than HFA I presume?

 

[Nitro]

Less pleasant than HFA I presume?

Let's just say they have their own unique sets of challenges,like anyone on the autism spectrum.

 

[Warmheart]

Many of the leaders and agents for change in the neurodiversoty movement are nonspeaking.

Amy Sequenzia also contributes to Ollibean. Happy Googling!

A phenomenal film on YouTube called "Wretches and Jabberers" depicts six nonspeaking AAC users who travel internationally with support staff to make changes in both understanding and treatment of ASD. Tracy, Larry, Anti, Henna, Chammi, and Naoki (remember Naoki Higashida, author of "The Reason I Jump"?) attend conferences and make a difference. The film also shows how these advocates live their lives with support staff, family, and some independence, too. All of these advocates continue their work, and some continue to travel to conferences.

I can usually speak, but not when under stress. I use an AAC then. People often respond to loss of speech by baby talk, which I do not appreciate. I'm patient with them for not understanding that I retain my personhood.

I can live independently, but with supports. I have picture schedules to show how to shower, make tea, bedtime routine. My daily schedule even has eat, drink, go potty. It helps to have this structure as awareness is rather drifting. Support staff takes me into the community twice per week. But, I can take the bus myself to grocery shop or go swim at the Y, or visit the library. Whee!

Not sure if any of this helps you or not.

 

[xudo]

Less pleasant than HFA I presume?

I think that's a bit harsh. I believe the most active person we have here who's LFA would be @toothless.

 

[Momo]

I think that's a bit harsh. I believe the most active person we have here who's LFA would be @toothless.

I meant no offence, I simply meant that socialising and fitting in and so on would be more of a struggle than someone with HFA. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, honestly I think some of the smartest and most interesting people I've known have been lower-functioning. I'm sorry if I hurt anyone. I edited the comment to try and fix it, if it's still bad I'll delete it. Again, I apologise.

 

[Crossbreed]

My LFA daughter is almost 23. She has the mental age of an 18 mo. old. That is how she conducts herself and is, likewise, non-verbal. Another name for autism is Pervasive Development Disorder, because all of us on the spectrum have notably failed to develop neurologically as expected. For some of us, that failure is less pronounced. For others, it is more so.

I also have a nearly 30yo son who functions as a 6-10yo.

 

[toothless]

For the record, I looked up the keyword "low-functioning" in the search bar, but none of them seemed to match what I'm asking here, so... moving on.

This is actually something that I've wondered about for a while: what is it like to have "low-functioning" autism, or LFA?

Do we have any people on here that are designated "low-functioning"? If so, then I'd really like to hear from you on this thread. I've seen people IRL with "low-functioning" autism before, but most of them were totally non-verbal and acted... oh jeez, what's the most non-offensive way to say this? To give you the gist, one of them was slamming these metallic ball thingamajigs together, over and over again. Loudly. Otherwise, he didn't say anything or make any sounds, just had this sort of thousand-yard-stare going on. There was one that I attended school with that could speak, but only repeated the same word(s) or sentence(s) over and over again, not seeming to be aware at all that he was doing it.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I actually find it a little... for lack of a better word, creepy. Don't get me wrong, I know they can't control it, I know that's just how they are and that they're just as human as anyone else, we all are. But it still makes me a little anxious when I'm around them.

I'll be totally honest with you, despite the aforementioned brief encounters with people with LFA, I don't know the first thing about it. I don't understand what their general mindset is like, if they're really "aware of themselves" per se, and what really makes them different from people with HFA or Asperger's, if anything at all. That's why I'm asking this question; I'm not going to be an uptight jack*** who simply assumes this or that because I don't understand it, I legit want to ask what it feels like to have LFA, or if it any feels all that different from having HFA. Again, I'm not positive if there is anyone on here with LFA (if so, they're probably few and far between) but, if so, I'd really like to hear from you.

I, for one, have high-functioning autism and, if you're curious about that, I'd say it almost feels like being neurotypical. Almost, except in the ways that matter (social skills, emotional maturity, etc.) Well, that's what it's like to me, anyway. If you want, we can discuss what having HFA or Asperger's feels like from different folks' perspectives as well, no judging here. ^^

i am LFA,as several members have pointed out,and you are welcome to ask me stuff i dont take offense easily,but i am not creepy,i am just different to you and highly different to NTs.
LFA means you have [a]classic autism with intellectual disability, and the intellectual disability flavours how your autism presents hence why people are low functioning,i have mild intellectual disability and was classified as severely classic autistic up until my late twenties [now moderate but i have a lot of throwbacks to being severely autistic] when i experienced a 4 month stint in an secure intellectual disability hospital due to my severe challenging behavior being unable to be managed in the community.
people with LFA can progress in life if they have the mental capacity and the positive support to help them,but also a passionate drive to improve helps,which is what i had despite growing up non verbal and being assumed to have the mind of a toddler- i had two to one [two staff to my self] support 24/7 up until a year and a half ago but that didnt make it good support,ive been treated like a sub human individual without feelings or thoughts,beaten and abused in many different ways, when actually a lot of us do share interests with aspies-the only difference between us really is that we are a stronger more complex form of aspergers,you shouldnt treat us as being unconnected to HFA/aspergers,there is a lot of stuff in common,its the intensity that differs, there are people like myself who are better able to relate to HFAs than people further down the low functioning spectrum because our intellectual disability is mild but it doesnt mean we are not low functioning.

i get pissed off when HFAs/ aspies especially assume we need curing and that we cant have a good quality of life,i probably do a lot more than some aspies-i have a passion for animals and look after multiple pets with support,i compete in the GB special olympics,i attend a professional art studio for people with intellectual disability,i attend a ACOA meeting every week [adult child of alcoholics] where they have adapted their work folder for me so that i have my own one,i go and do a lot of photography,i am an autism and intellectual disability activist and have done everything from go on demonstrations outside benefits offices to stop benefits being cut for disabled people to getting paid work from the social services learning [US=intellectual] disability team.
yes my life is very challenging,but who here can say their life is not? we all have different challenges,id like people to respect the right of LFA people to be who they are and not the resented hugely negative stereotype from people who think we need curing.

i have lived with many LFAs all over the low functioning spectrum and the most profoundly affected were ahead of me in terms of being adult-they had jobs working in a park whereas i couldnt cope with being with others and was also banned from using the minibus with other service users because of an incident that happened-i was attacked and had a chunk of flesh took out of my arm so i went straight into meltdown mode from the shock and broke her nose.

oh,as for repeating,i repeat a lot-i speak in echolalia if my speech hasnt been rehearsed before.
just ask if you want to know anything,id rather people ask than assume.

 

[Lexa]

Very interesting topic @Spotty01

Thanks for your input, Toothless, and for your videos on YouTube. I'll share them. I don't have many occasions to talk to non-aspergers autistics but when I come across with them (children, generally) i can feel how close we are and how much we share.