High Functioning Autism: Everything You Need To Know About It!
18th October 2024
People with high-functioning autism may typically lead independent lives and pursue prosperous jobs. The term's usage is still debatable, nevertheless, with many proponents of autism saying that it is deceptive and ableist. Most parents and educators often fail to understand what the term means and what are the triggers or symptoms they should be looking for. Thus, they sometimes go ahead and pursue autism courses for parents and teachers. If you also want to learn more about the causes, signs, and diagnosis of high-functioning autism, continue to read.
What Is High-Functioning Autism?
The definition of high-functioning autism is not the same as the clinical diagnosis of autism, which is based on particular diagnostic criteria. Rather, it is an assessment of an individual's capacity to operate within society. As a result, opinions among medical experts on who is and is not high-functioning may differ.
Because individuals with Asperger's syndrome sometimes exhibit less overt indicators of autism and are less likely to struggle with language, some therapists once referred to them as ‘high-functioning.’ The definition of ‘high-functioning’ varies depending on who makes the diagnosis as it is a subjective assessment based on cultural standards rather than a medical diagnostic.
Why The Term High-Functioning Is Problematic?
Although the phrase is occasionally used colloquially, it is deemed unsuitable and erroneous. According to research, the word does not adequately capture the difficulties that persons with autism face daily. This may result in inflated expectations regarding people's capacities for social interaction, learning, employment, and self-care.
When an individual does not have an intellectual handicap, they are sometimes referred to as ‘high-functioning’. Evidence, however, points to a poor relationship between IQ and activities associated with daily life.
In actuality, a person's capacity to operate with little assistance depends on a variety of characteristics, such as their motor, social, communication, sensory, and information-processing skills. Someone can be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking yet suffer more with other functional skills like emotional or social intelligence.
How Language Contributes To The Stigma?
Debt-based language has been demonstrated to raise stigma. A large portion of the language around autism is centered on the potential shortcomings and challenges that individuals with autism may have. Different cognitive strengths are linked to autism, and research has demonstrated the efficacy of treating patients using a strengths-based approach.
For example, although the DSM frames autistic people's social interaction style as a deficit, many autistic people can successfully mask it when interacting with neurotypical individuals, and most autistic people socialize well with other autistic people. Promoting and assisting those with autism requires addressing and minimizing stigma.
What Are The Challenges With High-Functioning Autism?
Here are a few challenges that these people might face in their day-to-day lives:
1. Emotional And Social Reciprocity
Those with autism who have trouble initiating or responding to communication, for example, may find it challenging to engage in the traditional back-and-forth aspect of communication due to impairments in social and emotional reciprocity. They could also find it difficult to talk about subjects they don't like.
2. Non-Verbal Communication
A person may find it difficult to maintain eye contact, detect nonverbal emotional cues from others, read body language, or make age-appropriate facial gestures like smiling.
3. Relationship Challenges
They could find it difficult to make and keep friends. People with autism may not play pretend, may not want to make friends, or may find it extremely difficult to blend in.
Bottom Line
People with autism have a difficult time navigating a world that is structured on expectations that are neurotypical. For this reason, it's critical for both educators and parents who have pursued autism courses online to keep in mind that even those who are classified as ‘high functioning’ require assistance. Even though their demands can be different, individuals might still gain from additional assistance with social support, academics, self-care, and emotional control.
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Written By : Victoria Lewis
