It is unfortunate that Autism is still so often simplified as "high" and "low" functioning, as the former tend to get their difficulties overlooked and the latter their strengths overlooked. I agree that they're generally unhelpful and we should stop using them.
One of the advantages of me working in my field is that I'm constantly surrounded not only by other Autistics, but by non-Autistics willing to listen and learn, and with so many parents of Autistic children now getting to hear from Autistic adults, I feel like things are slowly starting to get better, at least in my corner of the world.
I really feel like Autistic adults mentoring Autistic youth is the best way forward, passing on our experiences and what worked for us, and helping them avoid the pitfalls we suffered growing up. It would've made a huge difference for me when I was a teenager just to hear from someone who'd been through what I was experiencing. It took me many years to learn to feel okay about myself and to accept my Autism.
