High-functioning autism: characteristics and symptoms

“High-functioning autism” is an off-the-cuff term that isn’t technically present in official psychiatric manuals. This idea refers to cases by which the symptomatology is milder.

Due to this fact, these are individuals who present an autism spectrum disorder but have the next level of cognitive and behavioral functioning, so the impact on their each day lives is lower. The issue is that it’s often underdiagnosed, especially in women, which makes it difficult to treat. Methods to detect it? We’ll inform you all about it here.

What are autism spectrum disorders?

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a series of conditions that affect development. They could cause social, behavioral, and communication problems.

Previously, the conditions that make up this spectrum were diagnosed as separate entities. Nevertheless, this term is now used to encompass them. As an article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains, they include the next:

• Autism
• Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified
• Asperger’s syndrome

All of those conditions also affect the sufferer’s interests and motivation. In accordance with a publication in USA Today, roughly 1 in 35 children has an autism spectrum disorder. Nevertheless, it’s divided into several levels in response to its severity.

• Level 1 classifies those that present mild symptoms. This includes high-functioning autism, as we are going to explain later.
• Level 2 refers to those cases that require more support and treatment.
• Finally, level 3 is reserved for probably the most severe cases. Patients may require assistance on a regular basis.

High-functioning autism

High-functioning autism isn’t considered an entity inside autism spectrum disorder. Neither the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) nor the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) consider it a subcategory. Even so, some scientists do consider it to be different.

That’s, it has the identical characteristics as other pictures of the spectrum, but its symptoms are milder. As we’ve identified within the previous section, we could include it inside level 1. As well as, the IQ of those people is often just like that of the remaining of the population, or barely higher.

There are those that confuse it with Asperger syndrome; nevertheless, within the latter case, there are more difficulties with respect to non-verbal skills, visual memory, and perception of emotions. In contrast, children with high-functioning autism have higher motor coordination.

In this kind of autism, there’s a major delay in speech acquisition. As well as, there’s a shortage of vocabulary, a bent to babble and repeat phrases or expressions, and difficulty in understanding certain content.

The symptoms of high-functioning autism

Despite being a gentle type of autism, it presents the identical typical symptoms of this disorder. For instance, patients often have trouble making eye contact with other people.

Then again, as detailed in an article published within the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, communication skills are often impaired. Thus, they’ve difficulty picking up rhetorical types of speech – comparable to irony or sarcasm – in addition to understanding gestures.

Other relevant symptoms include the next:

• Difficulties in forming friendships or romantic relationships. On the whole, they have an inclination to be suspicious of strangers.
• They’ve difficulty understanding long sentences or responding appropriately in conversations. Even so, they sometimes have more communication skills than the remaining of the autistic conditions.
• Regarding school or work performance, the impact could be very variable. Some individuals with this kind of autism excel in activities that attract their attention. Nevertheless, they can also be unable to pay attention.
• They’re liable to depression, anxiety, and stress. It’s because there’s a terrific absence of empathy toward them they usually feel misunderstood. It’s common for them to have explosive behaviors and a really irritable character.

How is the degree of autism diagnosed?

The diagnosis of any autism spectrum disorder will be complex. High-functioning autism is usually missed or confused with one other disorder. In truth, in some cases, it’s not confirmed until maturity.

The foremost problem is that -on quite a few occasions- these children are diagnosed and treated for other conditions. For instance, they might be treated as in the event that they were affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

In any case, it’s common for many of spectrum disorders to be easily identified in the primary years of life. Children with autism often have problems with verbal development, communication skills, and social interactions.

Due to this fact, signs which will point to this problem appear around 18 months of age. For instance, abnormal behaviors are observed when playing. They’re infants who also are inclined to have a limited expression or absence of attachment to other people.

Thus, the diagnosis is often made through commentary. Some specific tests (comparable to the M-CHAT test, which is answered by parents) or other tools will also be used.

What treatments can be found?

There are many treatments available for autism spectrum disorders. Treatment have to be completely individualized, depending on probably the most characteristic problems of every patient.

As well as, it have to be carried out by a multidisciplinary team. The foremost thing is that there may be good psychological support, each for the affected person and for the family.

• Therapies aimed toward improving speech are often carried out. Although this aspect will not be often so impaired, it will possibly serve to enhance the flexibility to interact in conversation.
• Occupational therapy is one other fundamental pillar of treatment. It seeks to enhance motor coordination and psychomotor skills.
• Physical therapy sessions are beneficial to improve movement and balance.
• Medication could also be needed. Especially if certain symptoms can’t be controlled by therapy or training. Incessantly used medications include antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anxiolytics.

Individuals with high-functioning autism can also be sensitive to stimuli. For instance, they might be sensitive to vivid lights, loud noises, and even to certain tactile sensations. Due to this fact, one other a part of the treatment seeks to coach to manage or withstand such sensations.

High-functioning autism will not be considered a separate disorder

In summary, it must be remembered that high-functioning autism will not be currently described as an entity in its own right. This can be a term used to confer with mild cases of autism.

Nevertheless, the symptomatology is analogous, albeit limited. The foremost problem lies within the tendency to confuse this disorder with other conditions. This results in numerous these patients being treated inappropriately.

As well as, it’s vital to try to know that these people face quite a few difficulties of their each day lives. Due to this fact, we have to be understanding and avoid marginalizing certain behaviors.

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