Everyone
There are so many stereotypes and assumptions about autistic people with high support needs. In honour of Autism Acceptance Month, here are 10 facts about this highly misunderstood group of people.
1. Do autistic people with high support needs require life-long care?
Many autistic people with high support needs do need support throughout their lifetimes. Needs vary from person to person; some may need help with managing finances and some day-to-day tasks, others may not be able to live independently or have complex medical needs. This can be a huge issue for families as parents grow older, retire, require care of their own, or pass away. Better systems of support are needed provincially.
How can you help? If you know an autistic person or family with high support needs, check in. Offer a meal, run an errand, or simply show up. Small, thoughtful gestures go a long way.
2. What does autonomy mean for someone who cannot care for themselves?
Just because someone needs support does not mean that they lose the basic human right to autonomy. Even when independence is not possible, autonomy is still paramount. Individuals have the right to a say in their care and what happens to their bodies.
How can you support autonomy? Take time to listen, offer choices, and respect preferences—even in small decisions. Autonomy isn’t about doing everything alone; it’s about being heard and valued.
3. Can non-speaking autistic people communicate in other ways?
Yes, many autistic people with high support needs have limited or no access to speech but may use augmented and alternative communication (aac). This can involve many things like body language, sign language, gestures, writing, text-to-speech apps, specially-developed aac devices and more. Remember, there are many ways to communicate and that we all use multiple forms of communication every single day. The absence of speech is not an absence of communication.
How can you be a better communication partner? Be patient. Slow down. Give time for responses. Assume competence—and listen with curiosity, not judgment.
4. Why shouldn’t we judge an autistic person with high support needs based on how they act or present themselves outwardly?
Many people project their expectations onto non-speaking people and people with high support needs. They may mistake a slower processing speed for a lack of intelligence or a flat affect for a lack or emotions. Neither of these things are true. Autistic people have rich inner worlds, intense passions, and deep feelings regardless of whether they communicate in a way you recognize.
What can you do? Embrace different ways of expressing. Instead of making assumptions, try to connect with the person’s intentions, emotions, and passions.
5. Are the needs of autistic people the same day-to-day?
As with all autistic people, support needs can fluctuate over someone’s lifetime, month, or even day. Factors like stress, sensory profile, tiredness, and physical wellness can affect how much support someone needs at any given time. That’s why its so important to have access to flexible support to manage changing needs.
What can you do? Encourage accessible, adaptable support systems that respond to changing needs, whether it’s for a day or a lifetime.
6. Do autistic people with high support needs require support in all areas?
One characteristic of autistic people is a “spikey profile” meaning that while we may excel in some areas, we may need extra support in others. Every autistic person is different and we may need assistance with different parts of different tasks. Someone might need help with the timing, patience, and safety of cooking, but require little support with the planning, money management, and social aspect of grocery shopping. While autistic people with high support needs may need a lot of support, that does not mean they are incapable.
What can you do? Understand that high support needs don’t define capability. Help by recognizing both the areas where support is needed and where they excel.
7. Are autistic people with high support needs capable of ________?
The best thing you can do is presume competence. There is no one size-fits-all answer and, as covered above, needs change. Instead of assuming something will not be possible or that someone does not want to try, have an open mind and accept that needing support is not the same as not being capable.
What can you do? Believe in the abilities of autistic people, and create space for them to demonstrate their strengths with the support they need.
8. Do co-occurring conditions impact autistic people with high support needs?
Yes, all autistic people, including those with high support needs have co-occuring conditions such as developmental, intellectual, or medical conditions and disabilities that complicate their needs. Sometimes, this complicates people’s understanding of autism because they may not know what traits come from what condition. Autistic people with co-occurring conditions are sometimes diagnosed sooner as their needs are more evident. We have a blog on autism and co-occurring conditions that discusses many common ones.
What can you do? Understand that autism is multifaceted, and behaviors can be shaped by co-occurring conditions. Read our blog to learn how these layers impact autistic people with high support needs, and approach them with empathy and understanding.
9. Why should we say “high support needs” and not “low functioning?”
This change from high- vs low-functioning to low vs high support needs comes from the neurodiversity movement. The core principle of the change is to move away from pathologizing language toward language that better represents the actual needs of autistic people. Labeling someone “low-functioning” stigmatizes their needs and underestimates their capabilities. On the flip side, labeling someone “high-functioning” disregards their need for support. The current thinking of low- vs high-support needs, while not perfect, eliminates those stigmas and works to bring autistic people closer together rather than divide us.
What can you do? Shift from labels like “low-functioning” to “high support needs” to better reflect the reality of autistic individuals’ experiences. Language matters in fostering understanding and reducing stigma.
10. How should I interact with autistic people with high support needs?
Always presume capability and intelligence whenever interacting with an autistic person with high support needs. While you may need to speak with a caregiver, never ever act like the person you are speaking about is not in the room. This is incredibly rude and dehumanizing. Include autistic people in your conversations, leave space for processing time, and be open to alternative forms of communication.
What can you do? Always presume capability, include autistic people in conversations, and allow space for processing. Respect their preferred communication methods and never speak over them.
