Get Support Managing Your Signs Of High Functioning Autism Today
If you think that you or a loved one might be displaying signs of high functioning autism, its time to reach out for a diagnosis. This is the first step in getting the right support and will make a world of difference to your quality of life.
If your high-functioning autism affects your mental health, get in touch with our admissions team for support today. Were here to help!
What Role Do Genes Play
Twin and family studies strongly suggest that some people have a genetic predisposition to autism. Identical twin studies show that if one twin is affected, then the other will be affected between 36 to 95 percent of the time. There are a number of studies in progress to determine the specific genetic factors associated with the development of ASD. In families with one child with ASD, the risk of having a second child with the disorder also increases. Many of the genes found to be associated with autism are involved in the function of the chemical connections between brain neurons . Researchers are looking for clues about which genes contribute to increased susceptibility. In some cases, parents and other relatives of a child with ASD show mild impairments in social communication skills or engage in repetitive behaviors. Evidence also suggests that emotional disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia occur more frequently than average in the families of people with ASD.
What Is High Functioning Autism
High functioning autism describes one with autism without an intellectual disability. However, people with high functioning autism have deficits in certain areas including communication, emotion, recognition, expression, and social interaction.
Another common name for high functioning autism is mild autism or Aspergers syndrome . Although term Aspergers syndrome is no longer used as an official diagnosis.
Today, these people are diagnosed with either high functioning autism or autism level 1.
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Fixation On Particular Subjects Or Ideas
Continually discussing the same topics in conversation, obsessively playing the same song repeatedly, or reading every article written about a certain topic are some ways that autistic fixations can manifest. These interests can be negative if they take over the individuals life or interfere with their relationships with others. Of course, these obsessive tendencies can also be helpful Dan Aykroyd, writer and star in the hit film Ghostbusters, was inspired by his focus on ghosts and the paranormal. Many other high-functioning autistic individuals have used their focus on mathematics, biology, or writing to inspire successful careers.
Difficulty Relating To Children Their Own Age
Of course, many children may feel like they dont fit in with children their own age but there are a few differences with children that have high functioning autism. Like my son, many children with high functioning autism will not engage in play with others and are not sure how to respond to other children.
My daughter, on the other hand, will watch other children and then play but has a hard time knowing when its appropriate to say certain things or how to respect others personal space.
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What Are Symptoms Of Asperger’s
It is not always possible to know if someone has Aspergers , which causes people to have difficulty in social interactions, but most people with Aspergers have difficulty relating to others in some form.
Characteristics of Asperger syndrome include difficulty with social interactions and unusual behaviors such as:
- Rarely changing facial expression
- Not making eye contact when speaking to others
- Talking incessantly about a single topic and not noticing that others are not listening
- Standing too close to others
- Inability to determine when another person is joking
- Not using hand gestures when speaking
- Becoming upset if routines or plans change
- Disorganization
- Sensitivity to noises, odors, tastes, or sights
- Specific, narrow, unusual interests
What Benefits Can Hfa Give
Alongside deficiencies they may simultaneously benefit from some of the more positive aspects of autism. For example, they may have the ability to focus intensely and for long periods on a difficult problem. There is often an enhanced learning ability. They often present no problems in a supportive well-resourced educational institution, and usually do well academically if they can be stimulated by good teachers.
People with HFA often have intense and deep knowledge of an obscure or difficult subject, and a passion for pursuing it in an organised and scholarly manner.
They are usually intelligent, gifted, honest, hard workers when interested in a task, and excellent problem solvers. People with HFA tend to become excellent scientists and engineers, or enter other professions where precise painstaking methodical analysis is required.
Speech and diction can be unusually precise in some individuals with HFA. Some may be unsually adept at wordplay and use language in inventive ways.
When adults, they may escape the link of Autism and Poverty, this could be probably by the possiblity of finding a good mainstream job at an adult age.
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S To Take If You Believe A Teenager Has Autism
If you think your teenager has autism, is it important for you to carry out research. Sites such as Child Autism UK can help you better understand the condition and the steps to take next.
You should also contact their special educational needs coordinator to discuss the symptoms. It is also important to speak to your GP who can provide medical advice and referrals where necessary.
Resources For Autistic Children 4
For parents and professionals
Fun with Feelings a two book combination that teaches parents to help their autistic child to manage their anxiety and anger from a very young age to prevent mental health problems later in life.
Garnett, M. S., Attwood T., Ford, L., Runham S. and Cook J. . Having Fun with Feelings on the Autism Spectrum: A CBT Activity Book for Kids Age 4-8. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Garnett, M. S., Attwood T., Ford, L., Runham S. and Cook J. . Ten Steps to Reducing Your Childs Anxiety on the Autism Spectrum: The CBT-based Fun with Feelings Parent Manual. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
The online course for Fun with Feelings
During this 5.5 hour course Tony and Michelle describe how to use the Fun with Feelings course with your child for the best outcomes for your whole family.
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Difficulty With Social Interaction
Social interaction is very stressful for people with autism and those with high functioning autism are no exception. This is mostly because those of us on the spectrum dont know how to appropriately interact and have social anxiety.
I myself cannot be in a group full of people because I have so many thoughts running through my mind. Whether its at the grocery store, my childs pediatricians office, or even outside I get overwhelmed. This is one huge reason that I work from home.
My children also have difficulties with social interaction. One of my children has no sense of social boundaries and things go right over her head, while my other child has difficulty playing with other children his age. He will often watch other kids play but will not play with them.
Challenges And 4 Strengths In High
Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by the presence and degree of symptoms that affect how a person communicates, interacts with others, learns, and engages in repetitive and restricted behaviors. The 2020 Community Report on Autism, funded by the CDC, found that 1 in 54 children were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2016, which is an increase from the 1 in 59 cases found in previous years.
Children and adults with more severe ASD usually have intellectual impairments and difficulty functioning independently. Those on the other end of the spectrumhigh-functioning autism , which used to be referred to as Aspergers syndrometend to have milder symptoms. As children, they may be integrated into some mainstream classes at school, and into the workforce as adults.
Most cases of ASD are diagnosed around age 3 when certain milestones, such as speech and social development, havent been met or have regressed. However, with HFA, research has found that most are diagnosed later in childhood, between the ages of 7 and 9. While it is often thought that the greater awareness about ASD we now have contributes to early detection, decades ago that was not the case. At that time, the kids and adults with HFA might have just been thought of as quirky, awkward, or eccentricbut now we know so much more.
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Difficulty With Verbal Communication
A child with HFA will typically have no problems understanding language. Learning individual words, grammar rules, and vocabulary may not be an issue for them.
The use of language to communicate, however, can be problematic. Someone with HFA may have difficulty understanding sarcasm, metaphors, or idioms. This is known as “pragmatic” language.
In addition, some people with HFA may struggle to speak when under stress or overwhelmed.
Signs Of High Functioning Autism In Adults
Estimates show that at least 5 million adults in the United States live with an autism spectrum disorder. This developmental condition can affect a whole range of social skills.
However, not everyone living with autism receives a diagnosis. This can have a serious impact on your quality of life and mental health. Recognizing the signs of high functioning autism ensures that you get the help and support that you need.
So how might high functioning autism be affecting you? Read on to find out some common autism symptoms in adults and teenagers.
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Veterinarian Or Veterinary Technician
Average Salary: $80,396 , $33,699 Because many people on the autism spectrum love and feel comfortable around animals, the jobs of veterinarian and veterinary technician were recommended to us over and over again as great jobs for people with autism. While a veterinarian is the main doctor for animals big and small, a veterinary technician meets each animal first and charts its weight, symptoms, and any concerns its owner may have.
Are There Gender Differences In Hfa
Gender most likely affects how HFA manifests itself in an individual, and also how it’s perceived by others. Scientists have found more cases within the male population and this brings people to the conclusion that HFA seems to affect far more males than females,. But this may only be because symptoms are more readily apparent in males. Gendered behavior is a societal construct, so certain autistic traits are more likely to be considered “feminine” and be misdiagnosed or left undiagnosed in females.
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Support Available For Autistic Children When Becoming Teenagers
Some local authorities have charities operating within them, so search the website of your local author to see what support is available. Some offer buddying volunteers for young people with autism who would otherwise have no peer friendships, while others provide support groups for parents and advice on how to navigate the Education, Health and Care Plan process.
For more details on Aspris Children’s Services, please call 0118 970 8068 or
Difficulty In Social Situations
One of the more easily recognized symptoms of autism is having a difficult time socializing with others. Children and adults with autism spectrum disorder tend to shut down when placed in an overly-stimulating social environment. Sometimes they are mistakenly labeled as being loners or introverts. People that are loners prefer to spend time alone and enjoy their own company over the company of others.
According to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , an individual must display persistent deficits in these three areas to be considered for an autism diagnosis:
- Problems with social initiation and response
- Problems with non-verbal communication like eye contact
- Problems with social awareness and insight, as well as with the broader concept of social relationships
People living with autism spectrum disorder tend to have difficulties relating to others when they are placed in a situation that requires social interaction. A way they can cope is to block out what is going on around them.
These social skills problems are rooted in some of the basic elements of ASD:
- Delays and difficulty in acquiring verbal language skills
- Inability to read non-verbal communication cues
- Repetitive or obsessive behaviors and insistence on adherence to fixed routine
- Overwhelming sensory inputs
This is why social skills training is a major intervention used in the treatment of autism.
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Why Do Some Young People Get A Late Diagnosis
It is common for a young person to get a late diagnosis if they are high functioning or academically able. This also occurs more in girls than in boys, as girls are generally more adept at copying neuro-typical behaviours, including verbal and non-verbal communication in order to mask their autism.
Late diagnosis can happen because there is some ambiguity which makes it difficult to be sure a young person has autism, or because other conditions have presented as being their primary need e.g. challenging behaviour or ADHD. Typically, children are also often able to cope in a primary school environment but find the increasing demand of secondary school very stressful, leading to their difficulties becoming more apparent.
Restricted And Repetitive Interests And Behavior
People with Asperger syndrome can display behavior, interests, and activities that are restricted and repetitive and are sometimes abnormally intense or focused. They may stick to inflexible routines, move in and repetitive ways, preoccupy themselves with parts of objects, or engage in compulsive behaviors like lining objects up to form patterns.
The pursuit of specific and narrow areas of interest is one of the most striking among possible features of AS. Individuals with AS may collect volumes of detailed information on a relatively narrow topic such as weather data or star names without necessarily having a genuine understanding of the broader topic. For example, a child might memorize camera model numbers while caring little about photography. This behavior is usually apparent by age five or six. Although these special interests may change from time to time, they typically become more unusual and narrowly focused and often dominate social interaction so much that the entire family may become immersed. Because narrow topics often capture the interest of children, this symptom may go unrecognized.
According to the Adult Asperger Assessment diagnostic test, a lack of interest in fiction and a positive preference towards non-fiction is common among adults with AS.
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Problems Processing Physical Sensations
Many individuals with autism have sensory difficulties. They may find specific noises, tastes, smells, or feelings intolerable. Noisy public places can lead to emotional distress, as can uncomfortable clothing or unwanted touches. These issues can be disruptive and stressful, but according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, autism symptoms can improve over time as children with mild autism learn to regulate their own behavior through work with professionals.
Treatment For Autism In Little Rock
If you or your childs doctor are concerned about the presence of any of these symptoms or your child has been diagnosed with autism, Integrity, Inc. can help you find support services for children experiencing autism in Little Rock. Visit Integrity Inc. online or call us at 406-0442 to learn more. We can provide information about what autism is and how your child can lead a normal life.
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High Functioning Autism Symptoms
- Fixation on Particular Subjects or Ideas
- Linguistic Oddities
- Development of Repetitive or Restrictive Habits
- Dislike of Change
- Focus on Self
- Unusual Movement Patterns
Diagnosis rates for autism continue to rise, especially as parents and professionals become more familiar with the symptoms of high-functioning autism. Many patients are getting the assistance they need to live full, productive lives because their unusual behaviors are no longer seen as simple social awkwardness or eccentricity. As more caring medical and mental health professionals learn to recognize the most common symptoms of autism, the number of interventions available to people with autism will rise.
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What Research Is Being Done
The mission of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is to seek fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. The NINDS is a component of the National Institutes of Health , the leading supporter of biomedical research in the world. NINDS and several other NIH Institutes and Centers support research on autism spectrum disorder.
NIH participates in the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee , a Federal advisory committee that is designed to coordinate Federal efforts and provide advice on issues related to ASD. The committee is composed of representatives from various U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies, the Department of Education, and other governmental organizations, as well as public members, including individuals with ASD and representatives of patient advocacy organizations. One responsibility of the IACC is to develop a strategic plan for ASD research, which guides research programs supported by NIH and other participating organizations.
More information about research on ASD supported by NINDS and other NIH Institutes and Centers can be found using NIH RePORTER , a searchable database of current and past research projects supported by NIH and other federal agencies. RePORTER also includes links to publications and resources from these projects.
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Research Into Positive Traits
Possible positive traits of ADHD are a new avenue of research, and therefore limited. Studies are being done on whether ADHD symptoms could potentially be beneficial.
A 2020 review found that creativity may be associated with ADHD symptoms, particularly and quantity of creative achievements, but not with the disorder of ADHD itself â i.e. it has not been found to be increased in patients diagnosed with the disorder, only in patients with subclinical symptoms or those that possess traits associated with the disorder. Divergent thinking is the ability to produce creative solutions which differ significantly from each other and consider the issue from multiple perspectives. Those with ADHD symptoms could be advantaged in this form of creativity as they tend to have diffuse attention, allowing rapid switching between aspects of the task under consideration flexible , allowing them to remember and use more distantly-related ideas which is associated with creativity and impulsivity, which causes people with ADHD symptoms to consider ideas which others may not have. However, people with ADHD may struggle with , which is a cognitive process through which a set of obviously relevant knowledge is utilized in a focused effort to arrive at a single perceived best solution to a problem.
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