High-Functioning Autism - Levels, Symptoms, and Management

Introduction

High-functioning autism is referred to people who strive to read, write, speak, and study without much help or assistance. It is not a diagnosis or disease. Autism is a neurological disorder in which the person has difficulties with speech and communication. Some people require minimal support, but others require substantial support daily. It is also called an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Mostly the persons who do not require much support are called high-functioning autism.

What Are Autism and High-Functioning Autism?

High-functioning autism is a term used for people who have mild autism symptoms. People with autism have problems with the use of language, cognitive development, development of age-appropriate self-help skills, the development of adaptive behavior, and the development of curiosity about their environment. The symptoms are often milder and less likely to affect the daily lives than the symptoms of autistic people. They are referred to as high-functioning autistic people. High-functioning autism is never an official clinical diagnosis. People who have problems with speech difficulties and social interaction and communication are considered ASD regardless of how much support they require. They display repetitive restrictive behavior.

What Are the Causes of Autism?

The causes of autism are:

• Several genes are related to a higher risk of the condition. Still, scientists have not found a single genetic cause, gene, or combination of genes that inevitably leads to autism. There is some evidence that gene and environmental interaction can lead to autism.

• Defects in genes or genetic mutations are the main cause of autism. The other causes might include infections, exposure to some toxins, or environmental factors.

• Many studies have been conducted on how biological factors can increase the risk of autism. Its development interferes with changes in the brain's metabolism, and its connections or the body's immune system can increase the likelihood of its development.

• There is no permanent cure for autism, but it can change throughout a person’s life. After undergoing the training sessions, the person might grow out of symptoms, or they can slowly get rid of the symptoms causing autism, and it can reduce to a milder level.

• Early intervention services can help children gain emotional awareness, language skills, and other hallmarks of typical development. Many free programs are available for babies and toddlers in many states and countries. These low-cost intervention programs help them recover soon, and they can gain the abilities early in life.

• Medication will help with autism symptoms such as emotions, depression, anxiety, or obsessive thoughts.

What Are the Levels of Autism?

The levels of autism are:

• Level 1 - People at this level have symptoms that do not interfere much with their work, school, or relationships. Most people refer to this when they use the terms high-functioning autism or Asperger’s syndrome.

• Level 2 - At this level, the patients will require outside support daily. It includes speech therapy and social skills training.

• Level 3 - They require substantial outside support daily. The support can include full-time aides or intensive therapy.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Autism?

The signs and symptoms of autism include the following:

• Delayed language skills.

• Delayed movement skills.

• Delayed learning or cognitive skills.

• Hyperactive, impulsive, or inattentive behavior.

• Epilepsy or seizure disorder.

• Unusual eating and sleeping habits.

• Gastrointestinal issues like constipation.

• Unusual mood or emotional reactions.

• Anxiety, stress, and excessive fear.

• Lack of fear or more fear than expected.

What Are the Diagnostic Methods for Detecting Autism?

Diagnosing autism becomes a little difficult because the symptoms and signs vary from person to person, so making a diagnosis may be difficult. There is no specific medical test to identify the condition. The following steps are followed to diagnose the condition:

• Observation of the child. Questioning the child about social interaction, communication skills, and behavior can help identify the level of autism.

• Testing the child’s hearing, speech, language, developmental level, and social and behavioral issues.

• Present structured social and communication interactions to the child and score the performance.

• It is a multidisciplinary approach, so specialists from various medical fields, such as neurologists, cardiologists, and psychiatrists, are involved in the team.

• Recommend genetic testing to identify whether your child has a genetic disorder such as Rett syndrome (a rare genetic condition that affects brain development), fragile X syndrome (a condition that causes intellectual disability), or Down’s syndrome (a genetic disorder that causes developmental delays).

• The autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS) is the ‘gold standard’ for an autism assessment. It involves a standardized assessment of an individual’s social interactions to determine whether someone meets the criteria for the disorder.

• The autism spectrum rating scale (ASRS) uses observational data to determine whether an individual meets the diagnostic criteria or not. It is used for ages from one and a half years to 18 years.

What Are the Therapies That Are Given to Autistic Patients?

The following therapies are given to autistic patients:

• Speech issues can be corrected through speech therapies. Autistic patients have problems with speech, communication, and social interactions. Speech therapy can help overcome this problem and help improve their verbal and communication skills.

• Physical therapy is given to people who have problems with motor skills. Training is given for jumping, jogging, and exercising to improve the quality of daily life and to function without others’ help or support.

• Occupational therapy makes people learn how to use their hands and legs efficiently, which makes their life easier and more efficient.

• Autistic patients are very sensitive to sounds, lights, and touch. Training sessions are given to the patients, who are made to get used to touching, light, and sounds.

• Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is a method that encourages positive behaviors. It decreases the negative behaviors that interfere with or disturb the body's normal functioning. A reward system is a significant feature of the applied behavioral analysis program that motivates the positive behavior of the patient.

• Medications can be prescribed to treat behavioral issues as well as to improve brain function.

Conclusion

High-functioning autism is not a diagnosis or medical term. Some people use this word as an alternative term for any level of autism. Autistic individuals have a unique way of interpreting, analyzing, and thinking that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Even though they feel better after some time again, they might require emotional support and accommodations. To reach their maximum potential, they need life support.