The manifestations of many neurodevelopmental disorders vary. Autism can affect children and adults in different ways. In the autism community, it’s common to say that “no one with autism is the same” because the traits of autism vary from person to person.
Autism symptoms vary depending on which end of the spectrum a person or child falls. There is no clear-cut line to determine where a person falls on the spectrum, but it’s generally divided into high-functioning or low-functioning.
This article will first define autism, and then explore the subject of high-functioning autistics.
What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorder is a term that describes a collection of neurodevelopmental disorders. It can affect the way a person interacts with others. People with autism experience the world in a different way than their neurotypical counterparts. Autism is a term that covers a wide range of symptoms. However, the most common ones are a delay in motor, social and speech skills, as well as repetitive behaviours.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM), an estimated 1 in 59 children have been diagnosed with ASD. It is also reported that ASD occurs in all racial and ethnic groups, as well as in socioeconomic groups.
There is no “cure”, but there are many therapies and medications that can help treat some of the symptoms of autism such as insomnia, seizures, difficulty focusing and depression. The combination of medication and behavioural therapy is the most effective.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism is a unique condition, and no two people will exhibit the same symptoms or behaviour. Autism is a complex disorder, and each individual’s experience of it can be different.
Autism is a broad term that includes many subtypes. Asperger’s Syndrome, pathological avoidance of demand and Pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), also called atypical autism, are all included under this umbrella. Some doctors may mention that a child is suffering from mild autism or the Broad Autism Phenotype.
In this article, our focus will be on the definition of high-functioning autistic disorder and its expression.
Autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum is a term used to describe a set of developmental delays involving social, motor and language skills. The spectrum covers many different aspects of autism. This spectrum allows people with autism to have different personalities. Some people are talkative while others may be aloof. Some people are very affectionate, while others aren’t. There are many different things to consider.
What is high-functioning Autism?
The term high-functioning autism describes people with autism who have a standard intelligence and can read, speak, write and do math. This is a non-medical term that is used to describe a group of autistic people who are not classified as classic autism.
Autism high-functioning can cause a lack or delay in social abilities. Some people with high-functioning autism may have difficulty understanding others’ feelings and reactions, which can lead them to appear insensitive. People with autism may have trouble interacting and prefer to talk about their passions instead. A person with autism may not understand sarcasm or humour. They might instead prefer to watch movies and read books to learn social customs.
Autism with high-functioning characteristics
It can be difficult to diagnose high-functioning autistic disorder in children or adults. There are no clear signs that someone has it. Accurate autism testing is essential to identify traits of high-functioning Autism.
Sometimes parents and teachers are not able to notice high-functioning autistic behaviours until the child gets older, and social interactions get more complex. They also become a larger part of their lives. People with high-functioning autistic tendencies may excel academically but have difficulty socially. This can affect their self-esteem and confidence.
Autism symptoms that are high-functioning include:
- Eye contact is limited
- Problems understanding verbal cues
- Humour or sarcasm challenges
- Monotonous voice
- Obsessions and narrow interests
- Relationships can be difficult to maintain
- Clumsiness, sensitivity and hypersensitivity to certain stimuli
As mentioned, there are several subtypes of high-functioning autistic disorder, including Asperger syndrome, pathological avoidance of demands, Pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified (PDDNOS), or atypical Autism.
PDD-NOS, or atypical autistic disorder, is one of the most mysterious. Let’s first take a look at PDDNOS, before we discuss how to treat the symptoms of high-functioning autism.
PDD-NOS symptoms: How To Manage Them
The treatments for PDD/NOS are similar to other forms of autism. Children with PDD/NOS should pursue either an Early Intervention Program for preschoolers or an Individual Education Program for school-aged children.
There are many resources to help manage symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) regardless of where you or your child is on the spectrum.
Social skills training and applied behavioural analyses (ABA) are two of the most common types of intervention available.
What is PDD NoS?
Before it was removed, Pervasive Disorder (Not Other Specified), or PDD-NOS, was a subtype of autism spectrum disorder.
PDD-NOS is used to describe people who have autism but do not meet all the criteria for a classical autism diagnosis. This is a diagnosis for people who have some, but not all, of the characteristics of autism. Pervasive developmental disorders are less severe than Asperger syndrome and have a milder impact on language and cognition.
Signs and symptoms of Pervasive Developmental Disorders
- Socializing and communicating with others can be difficult.
- Playing with toys in a different way
- Stimulating (repetitive body movements)
- Changes in routine can be difficult to accept
Common interventions for high-functioning Autism include
Social skills training
Social Skills Training has been developed to help people with autism overcome social challenges. Social skill therapists have different medical backgrounds, but they all work towards the same goal: giving people with autism the skills to communicate, share, play and collaborate with their peers.
ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis)
ABA is the most effective treatment for autism. It can help a person with high-functioning autism manage challenging behaviours through positive reinforcement, while also teaching them social and motor skills.
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex disorder that includes several subtypes. No matter where you or your child falls on the spectrum it doesn’t lessen their abilities.
No matter what diagnosis a person may have, they are all capable of immense potential.
