Journalist Eric Garcia: The Most Effective Terminology to Describe the Needs of Autistic People

Autistic Journalist Eric Garcia says that the terms "high functioning" and "low functioning" to describe autistic people flattens their experience. Instead, using terms to describe an autistic person with "high support needs" or "low support needs" better illustrates what autistic people need.

See the full interview with Eric Garcia: https://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/experts/eric-garcia

For more resources on ASD, visit Reading Rockets: https://www.readingrockets.org/reading-topics/autism-spectrum-disorder

See more Reading Rockets interviews with experts: https://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/experts

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Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist focused on politics and policy and currently the senior Washington correspondent for The Independent. In our interview, Garcia talks about autism myths, recognizing the gifts and abilities of autistic people, how teachers can help their autistic students succeed and realize their potential, the role of accessible classrooms, autism and equity, how autistic people are portrayed in the media, and more.

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