Rethinking Autism: Moving Beyond Labels and Towards Inclusion

On Autism Awareness Day 2025, it’s time to challenge outdated views and embrace a deeper understanding of what autism really means — in society, education, and the workplace. Too often, autistic people are still labelled as either “high-functioning” or “low-functioning”, but autism is not a binary experience. It is a diverse, lifelong condition that varies significantly from person to person.

Understanding Autism More Broadly

Autism affects how individuals perceive and interact with the world. It's not an illness to be cured, but a different way of experiencing life — one that brings both strengths and challenges.

Autistic people may communicate differently, process sensory input in unique ways, or need support with transitions, structure, or social interaction. These needs can vary daily and are shaped by the environment around them. Some autistic people speak fluently and live independently; others may use non-verbal communication and require daily support. But all deserve respect, opportunity, and understanding.

The Problem with Functioning Labels

Terms like "high-functioning" and "low-functioning" are not medical or clinical — they’re social judgements. They oversimplify, mislead, and can actively harm.

• “High-functioning” individuals often have their support needs dismissed because they appear to cope externally.
• “Low-functioning” individuals are too often underestimated and excluded from decisions about their own lives.

Instead of asking “how functional is this person?”, we should be asking “what support do they need to succeed?”

Autism in the UK: What the Research Shows

• Around 1 in 36 children and 1–2% of adults in the UK are autistic – although new studies suggest the true figure may be significantly higher.
• Autism is a lifelong condition, yet many adults remain undiagnosed well into their 30s, 40s or later due to gender bias, masking, or systemic gaps.
• Co-occurring conditions like anxiety, ADHD, or sensory processing differences are common, but support often fails to consider these intersections.

The Autism Employment Gap

In the UK, autistic people remain the most underemployed group in society:

• Only 30% of autistic adults are in any form of paid work.
• Autistic graduates are twice as likely to be unemployed 15 months after graduation.
• Autistic workers face the largest pay gap of any disabled group.
• Yet, doubling the employment rate of autistic people could contribute up to £1.5 billion per year to the UK economy.

Why We're Sharing This Today

At Neurodiversity Global, we’ve delivered training to organisations of all sizes — from schools and small businesses to national sports bodies and global corporates. But awareness alone is not enough.

We’re sharing this because we believe:

• Language shapes behaviour.
• Inclusive workplaces must go beyond policy — they must be built on understanding.
• Autistic people must be included in the conversation and recognised as experts in their own lives.

If You Recognise Yourself in This Post…

You are not alone. You are not broken. And you absolutely deserve support.

You don’t need a label to matter. You don’t need a diagnosis to be heard. And you shouldn’t need a report to start a conversation.

Whether you’re exploring your identity, recently diagnosed, or just beginning to understand neurodivergence — your experiences are valid, and you belong.

And If You’re an Advocate for Change…

If you're autistic, neurodivergent, or simply passionate about inclusion — and want help building a business case for your workplace, we can help.

Whether you're looking to:

• Bring training into your organisation,
• Start a conversation with leadership,
• Or align workplace practices with inclusive values —

We’ll work with you to create a practical, evidence-based case for change.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If your organisation is serious about becoming truly inclusive — and not just compliant — we’re here to help. Our training and consultancy is practical, powerful, and led by those with lived experience.

📞 Book a free discovery call: www.neurodiversityglobal.com/discovery-call

Sources:

1. The Buckland Review of Autism and Employment (UK Government, 2024)
2. Pro Bono Economics Report – Autism and Employment
3. Autistica – Autism Statistics UK
4. UCL Research – Autism Prevalence in England May Be Twice As High