All About High-Functioning Autism

All About High-Functioning Autism

Today, we understand autism as a spectrum in which we observe a wide range of symptoms, strengths, and weaknesses. However, in the past, when autism began to be studied and designated as a specific disorder, scientists put different diagnoses into separate boxes. One of those boxes was Asperger's Syndrome, which—as we learned more about the spectrum of autism—was renamed high-functioning autism in 2013. Many people still use the term Asperger’s.

What Is High-Functioning Autism?

Autism is a condition that impacts a person’s social interactions and ability to communicate. This symptom is seen throughout the spectrum, but individuals on the high-functioning end have other characteristics that set them apart from the rest of the spectrum. People with high-functioning autism are often very intelligent with clear strengths or gifts. They may have superior verbal skills but still struggle with nonverbal communication.

Specific Symptoms of High-Functioning Autism

Other symptoms common to high-functioning autism are as follows:

●    Intensely specific interests: the individual’s mind is often consumed with a specialized topic such as astronomy or World War I; this specific subject matter is also a highly favored conversation topic

●    Nonverbal difficulties: a person with high-functioning autism often doesn’t pick up on social cues or other nonverbal communication

●    Other difficulties with the subtleties of language: puns, idioms, and certain form of humor are often tough to understand

●    Strengths in other areas: in spite of some of these difficulties, people with high-functioning autism will have clear areas of strength such as persistence, intense focus, and exceptional attention to detail and pattern recognition .

Comorbidities of High-Functioning Autism

A comorbidity is a medical condition that occurs simultaneously with another. Several conditions tend to be present alongside autism.

●    Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD: This makes it hard for individuals to calm their mind and focus. ADHD is the most common comorbidity for high-functioning autism.

●    Generalized anxiety disorder: Approximately 15% of people with high-functioning autism report feeling nervous or stressed with no apparent reason.

●    Social anxiety disorder: Even more common than generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety—or social phobia—affects nearly one third of people with high-functioning autism.

Therapy is a good option to support these individuals in whatever needs they have. In spite of these and other challenges, a person with high-functioning autism can certainly go on to lead a full and fulfilled life.

Positive Reinforcement not only offers  ABA therapy services for North Virginia, West Virginia including cities like Glen Allen Virginia,  Winchester Virginia,  and Aba Therapy in Richmond Virginia. .