functional labels

Disabilities are sometimes described in terms of functionality. Functional labels are an outdated descriptor associated with the what is referred to as the medical model of disability.

Refrain from using functioning labels when discussing disease or disabilities. Avoid phrasing such as high functioning or low functioning in terms of a disability, including mental, intellectual or developmental disabilities. Do not use the terms mild, profound, or severe when describing disease or disability.

Use language about support needs, such as higher support needs and lower support needs, rather than discussing functionality.

Incorrect: She has profound autism.
Correct: She has some support needs, including a personal care assistant for bathing and eating.

Incorrect: He is now low functioning due to advanced Alzheimer’s.
Correct: He has high support needs, including living in a memory-care unit at a nursing home.

Incorrect: They are a high functioning autistic and live independently.
Correct: They live independently.

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