Over The Top Reactions To Smells
This is a moment I remember very clearly from when my son was young. One day we were taking a cab to his daycare. It was cold and snowy as we waited outside. The cab pulled into the driveway and I opened the door to help my son into the cab.
This is when it happened.
He screamed, Im not going in there, that man STINKS!. Oh. my. god.
This moment was not only memorable but incredibly embarrassing.
Although I agreed he didnt exactly smell nice, to me the smell was mild and tolerable and I just couldnt believe my child would say something so rude.
Now, I am more familiar with my sons sensitivities to smells and I let people know that if a smell bothers him it needs to be taken seriously. He cant stand being around peanut butter, for example.
Also, there are times when he doesnt like the smell of supper and will literally not leave his bedroom for the rest of the night, to avoid the odor.
What Are Some Signs Of High Functioning Autism
High-functioning autism refers to autism spectrum disorder where people can read, write, and handle basic skills, such as eating and getting dressed.
- However, they still have difficulties with social interaction and communication.
- They are slow to take social cues and face challenges to make friends.
Some communication challenges that a person with high-functioning autism may face include:
- Participating in conversation is difficult
- Trouble connecting with others thoughts or feelings
- Difficulty reading others body language and facial expressions well, for example, the person might be unable to comprehend if a person is happy or sad
- Unable to understand sarcastic or emotive undertones
- Usage of flat, monotone, or robotic pattern of speaking that fails to communicate their thoughts
- Inventing ones own descriptive words and phrases
- Failing to understand figures of speech and turns of phrase
- Not being comfortable looking into someones eyes while talking to them
- Using the same tone or speaking patterns at home, with friends, or at the workplace
- Like to talk about one or two favorite topics
- Difficulty building and maintaining close friendships
Some emotional and behavioral difficulties faced by people with high-functioning autism include:
Food behaviors exhibited by people with autism include:
Other signs of high-functioning autism include:
Autism Symptoms In Adults At Work
Symptoms of ASD vary greatly from person to person based on the severity of the condition. These or similar manifestations of ASD may be apparent at work:
- When youre having a conversation with your boss, you prefer to look at the wall, her shoes, or anywhere but directly into her eyes.
- Your co-workers say that you speak like a robot.
- Each item on your desk has a special place, and you dont like when the cleaning company rearranges it to dust.
- You are really good at math, or software coding, but struggle to succeed in other areas.
- You talk to your co-workers the same way you talk with your family and friends.
- During meetings, you find yourself making involuntary noises, like clearing your throat over and over.
- When talking with your boss, you have difficulty telling if he is happy with your performance or mad at you.
In addition, autistic individuals may exhibit extraordinary talents in visual skills, music, math, and art. And roughly 40 percent of autistic individuals have average or above-average intelligence.
If you experience these or similar symptoms of ASD, consult a doctor or mental-health professional for a formal autism evaluation and learn more about treatment options for autism symptoms in adults.
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Strong Dislike Of Change
Many people with high-functioning ASD have strong negative reactions to changes in their environment. They might become anxious if something new happens, even if it’s positive. They might also be unable to cope with sudden changes in plans or schedules. For example, if they are forced to choose a different brand than their usual cereal provider, they might become highly activated and irritated.
Getting In Touch With Fellow Autistic People
Socializing and interacting with other autistic people can help you feel less isolated from others because they are in the same boat as you. Maybe you can go to a support group, or opt for online forums and chat groups. Mingling with other autistic people can expose you to more resources and can also help you understand yourself better.
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What Are The Levels Of Asd
ASD is divided into three levels:
- Level 1. People at this level may have symptoms that dont interfere too much with their work, school, or relationships. This is what most people are referring to when they use the terms high-functioning autism or Aspergers syndrome.
- Level 2. People at this level require some outside support on a daily basis. Examples of outside support include speech therapy and social skills training.
- Level 3. People at this level require substantial outside support on a daily basis. In some cases, support may include full-time aides or intensive therapy.
While It Is Not An Official Medical Diagnosis High
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder traditionally characterized by trouble with communication and social interactions. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Because there is such a wide range, what used to be defined as autism is now referred to as autism spectrum disorder. People with high-functioning autism refers to those on the mild end of the spectrum.
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Symptoms And Signs Of High
High functioning autism is not actually an official medical diagnosis, nor is it an official medical term. This term is mostly used when talking about autism or autism spectrum disorder in general. Contrary to what most people think, this is not just found in children, signs of high-functioning autism in adults is also quite common.
Autism Spectrum Disorder can be found in all ages, races, genders, ethnic groups, racial groups, and socioeconomic groups. Autism is generally characterized by communication and social challenges, and repetitive behaviors.
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Why Is It Important To Diagnose Autism In Adults And Teenagers
Getting an autism diagnosis is key if you or your loved one will get the development support that they need. However, it is also essential for a persons wellbeing.
Even if you have lived with undiagnosed high functioning autism for years, this can have a serious impact on you. Many people with high functioning autism often feel like something is wrong with them or like they should be able to cope. This is because they are trying to maintain a neurotypical processing pattern.
This can be exhausting for the individual and can have a serious impact on their mental health. People living with high functioning autism experience other conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and even suicidal ideation.
On top of this, you may struggle to build and maintain close social connections.
Getting an autism diagnosis even in later life can help you to understand the way that you function better. It also ensures that you get access to the support that you are entitled to.
To do this, you need to spot the symptoms of high functioning autism in adults and teenagers. Lets take a closer look at some of these.
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What Causes Aspergers Syndrome
The causes of Aspergers Syndrome are unknown. Genetics and brain abnormalities may be involved.
We do know that Aspergers Syndrome is NOT the result of a childs upbringing or poor parenting. Aspergers Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder, meaning it is just a part of the childs brain development, whose causes are not fully understood.
Tip : Manage Anxiety And Depression
Some people find that anxiety and depression go hand in hand with symptoms of ASD. For example, difficulty relating to others can lead to feelings of anxiety. Increased anxiety can, in turn, make it even harder to communicate. You might even feel so flustered that you cant form sentences.
Feelings of isolation can also trigger depression. But there are steps you can take to manage your mood and improve how you feel.
Stay active. Exercise is good for the mind and eases stress. Some studies show that vigorous exercise can be especially useful for helping adults with ASD manage aggression. Find an aerobic exercise that fits neatly into your routine and wont potentially throw your schedule into chaos. It may be something as simple as going for daily walks or runs. Make sure its something you enjoy, so youre more likely to stick to it.
Rely on close friends. Socializing can also be good for your mood, as long as the people youre with dont stress you out. Find people who share your interests. Thanks to the Internet, its easy to find people in your local area who share your interests. If possible, look for conventions or other gatherings where people who share your hobby come together and interact in person.
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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.
Other Signs Of Autism
You may also have other signs, like:
- not understanding social “rules”, such as not talking over people
- avoiding eye contact
- getting too close to other people, or getting very upset if someone touches or gets too close to you
- noticing small details, patterns, smells or sounds that others do not
- having a very keen interest in certain subjects or activities
- liking to plan things carefully before doing them
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Educating Yourself About Autism
The more you educate yourself about autism, the better you will be able to cope with it. Moreover, your loved ones will also know what to do to help you feel better. Learning more about your condition will help you understand it better.
It can help you feel more secure. confident, and validated, and drive you towards finding the right tools that will work for you.
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Make A Sensory Bottle
Sensory bottles are easy to make and a perfect sensory toy for children with autism spectrum. They are peaceful objects the children can focus on. The proprioceptive input they get from shaking the bottle will calm an autistic person down. The various floating objects inside the bottle will keep the autistic child captivated.
Learn how to make a sensory bottle here.
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Not Classic Autism Symptoms
The biggest problem with high functioning autism is that many parents and even some doctors are not sure what to look for. This is mostly because high functioning autistics can often blend in and adapt to situations.
As I said, when you think of Autism you often picture a child who is nonverbal and rocking back and forth in a corner. However, there are definitely clear signs of high functioning autism. They are just not necessarily the classic autism symptoms that you hear about.
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
ADOS is regarded as the best method or tool for diagnosing high functioning autism symptoms in adults. It involves a standardized assessment of a childs imaginative abilities and plays, and a persons social interactions to deduce whether they meet the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder.
Even though there are certain sections that are designed to diagnose autism in children, these can also be used in evaluating signs of high-functioning autism in adults.
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Social Symptoms Of High Functioning Autism In Adults
An adult with high functioning autism may desire friendship and even marriage but a number of social weaknesses make relationships difficult. Social problems include the following:
- The high functioning autistic adult has difficulties interacting with peers. Although he or she may attempt to join a conversation, they often end up being ostracized because of their behavior.
- Inappropriate body language is a large part of an autistic adultâs problem. Outward actions may convey boredom and a lack of interest although this is not the case.
- Facial expressions are not understood by adults with high functioning autism. They look at a personâs face and are unable to read emotions such as joy, sorrow, boredom or anger.
- Conversations may fail, especially if the adult launches into a monologue about their special interest.
Symptoms of high functioning autism in adults are diverse and affect each person in different ways. Most signs are related to speech, behavior patterns and social skills, and weaknesses in these areas can point towards a diagnosis of autism. While some people are only diagnosed as adults, there is help available for them to improve.
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The Core Symptoms Of Autism Are:
-
social communication challengesand
- interfere with daily living.
Specialized healthcare providers diagnose autism using a checklist of criteria in the two categories above. They also assess autism symptomseverity. Autisms severity scale reflects how much support a person needs for daily function.
Many people with autism have sensory issues. These typically involve over- or under-sensitivities to sounds, lights, touch, tastes, smells, pain and other stimuli.
Autism is also associated with high rates of certain physical and mental health conditions.
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What Is The Difference Between Aspergers Syndrome And Autism Spectrum Disorder
The name for Aspergers Syndrome has officially changed, but many still use the term Aspergers Syndrome when talking about their condition. The symptoms of Aspergers Syndrome are now included in a condition called Autism Spectrum Disorder . ASD is now the name used for a wide range of autism-like disorders. Some providers may still use the term Aspergers Syndrome, but others will say ASD without intellectual or language impairment. These two syndromes are, for the most part, the same.
How To Help Any Autistic Behaviour That Occurs As A Child Becomes A Teenager:
- Take a calm, quiet approach when talking to the young person
- Give them their own space, while ensuring that they dont retreat from family life altogether
- Limit online activities to encourage face-to-face time with people
- Plan activities for weekends and holidays in advance and share those plans with the young person
- Keep to a routine
- When talking to your son or daughter, do so while engaging in a chosen activity, such as walking through the park or driving in the car with them as a front-seat passenger, rather than sitting looking at them
- Use lots of subtle and genuine praise, as children with autism generally have low self-esteem and need more genuine praise then neuro-typical children. But remember that many autistic children dislike being singled-out in front of others and praised
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What Does High Functioning Mean
So, what does it mean if you are autistic and “high functioning?” It depends. Typically, if someone is diagnosed with ASD: Level 1, they are considered “high functioning.” However, someone’s social skills might be Level 1, and their behavioral issues might be Level 2.
Furthermore, although autism is a lifelong diagnosis that an individual does not “grow out of,” an individual might experience autistic burnout, a condition that causes increased functional deficits.
Factors that contribute to labeling an autistic person as “high-functioning” include how well they are able to hold a job, form and maintain relationships, communicate, and mask their autistic traits. Essentially, the better someone can blend in with a neurotypical society, the higher functioning they are. Because of this, many high functioning autistic people do not get diagnosed until later in life.
Inflexibility And/or A Desire For Control
People with high functioning autism tend to have a very strong need for control over things in their life. In other words, their thinking process is often restrictive. So, their mind doesnt offer any flexibility on how things should happen. Thats why youll notice that they display rigid behavior patterns.
Even small irritations or slight changes can make it difficult for them to cope or concentrate. Until these irritants are resolved, they have a hard time moving on to something else. Examples include not finding the right pair of socks or the buzzing from a light bulb.
Stressors are extremely distracting and lead the autistic person to control their environment.
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