- The video features Olivia, a 25-year-old with high functioning autism, discussing the problematic nature of functioning labels in relation to autism.
- Olivia explains that functioning labels, such as high functioning or low functioning, create assumptions and invalidate the struggles of individuals with autism.
- She emphasizes that autism is not a linear spectrum but a unique experience for each individual, with different strengths and struggles.
- Olivia uses the analogy of an iceberg to describe how the visible aspects of her autism, such as communication skills, mask the invisible struggles she faces, such as sensory sensitivities and executive function difficulties.
- She highlights the importance of not judging or invalidating someone’s struggles based on their ability to mask their traits and emphasizes that support needs can vary among autistic individuals without diminishing the validity of their autism.
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