Label the Need, Not the Person:
Understanding Spiky Profiles in Autism
The language we use to describe Autistic students plays an important role in how we understand them and the supports we provide. Labels like “high functioning” and “low functioning” may seem helpful, but they can oversimplify autism and may not reflect the rich mix of strengths and challenges a person experiences across different environments and over time.
In this Bite, you will learn how the language we use influences our understanding, expectations, and interactions with Autistic students. You will also explore the concept of spiky profiles and why functioning labels do not capture the full picture of a person’s abilities and challenges.
By shifting our focus to strengths and support needs, we can better recognize the individuality of every student and create more meaningful, respectful support.
Key Takeaways
- The language we use about Autistic students shapes how we understand them and the support we provide.
- Labels like “high functioning” and “low functioning” oversimplify autism and can lead to inaccurate assumptions.
- Autistic individuals have spiky profiles, meaning they have different strengths and challenges across areas and environments.
- A student’s strengths and support needs can change depending on context, setting, and over time.
- Instead of labeling students, focus on describing their strengths and specific support needs to better support the whole student.
Resources
- HeyASD: Autism Blog
Featuring:
Katie Oswald, MS - Executive Director, Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults
Katie Oswald is a nonprofit leader, autistic self-advocate, and champion for neurodiversity. She founded Full Spectrum Agency for Autistic Adults in 2018 after receiving her autism diagnosis in her 30s, driven by a mission to create inclusive support networks for autistic adults. She facilitates peer support, social and recreational activities, and other programs that serve a growing community of over 2,000 members.
Expanding her advocacy on a statewide level, Katie launched the Michigan Adult Autistic Advisory Committee (MiA3), a group of autistic self-advocates working alongside the Michigan Autism Council to ensure autistic voices shape policy. Under her leadership, MiA3 is planning a statewide needs assessment for autistic individuals, with support from partners around the state.
As a passionate advocate for autism inclusion, Katie speaks at conferences, leads workshops, and collaborates with community partners to foster meaningful change. Her work empowers individuals, organizations, and policymakers to build a more neuro-affirming world.