When it comes to parenting children, parents encounter numerous challenges. This is especially true when children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They must adjust to meet their child’s requirements and prepare them for transitions as they progress through life, from starting school to maturity and into adulthood.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental illness marked by difficulties in speech and social interaction. Autism affects one out of every 54 children (mostly males) in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with the condition will have their own set of strengths and shortcomings. While the DSM-5 identifies three stages of autism, many people with autism are still labeled as “low-functioning” or “high-functioning,” even though none of these phrases is a recognized medical diagnosis.
What is the difference between autism and high-functioning autism?
The fundamental difference between children with high-functioning autism and children with low-functioning autism is mainly in their behavior, and it is determined by the parent or caretaker’s opinion.
They frequently cause confusion and misunderstanding because neither term fully describes a person’s intelligence level, sensory challenges, anxiety or aggressiveness, talents, or true level of functionalities and abilities.
The diagnosis of autism is based on diagnostic criteria, whereas the diagnosis of high-functioning autism is not. Instead, it is a societal assessment of a person’s ability to function. As a result, medical experts may dispute who is high-functioning and who isn’t.
Some therapists used to refer to patients with Asperger’s syndrome as “high-functioning” since they are less likely to have language problems and show fewer indications of autism. The requirements differ depending on who defines “high-functioning” as a subjective evaluation based on cultural standards rather than a diagnosis.
People with ASD handle school and jobs in a variety of ways. Some students excel academically, while others become overwhelmed and unable to concentrate.
Some people can work, while others find it quite difficult. It all depends on the individual and the circumstances. Even though a person on the spectrum is capable of a lot, their underdeveloped social skills are common among those diagnosed with ASD.
What Is high-functioning autism?
Autism is a type of developmental disorder. Autistic people with high-functioning autism have greatly developed language and independent living skills. The phrase, however, is ambiguous, and it is not a clinical diagnosis.
“High-functioning autism” isn’t an official medical term or diagnosis. It’s an informal one some people use when they talk about people with an autism spectrum disorder who can speak, read, write, and handle basic life skills like eating and getting dressed.
Autistic people who are high functioning can usually live independently and have successful jobs. However, the term’s use is divisive, with many autism supporters claiming it is inaccurate.
Like everyone else on the spectrum, people with high functioning autism struggle with social contact and communication. They don’t read social cues naturally and may struggle to make friends. A stressful social environment can cause them to shut down. They don’t engage in much small talk or eye contact.
High-functioning people on the spectrum might be very devoted to regularity and order. Others may find their repetitious and rigid routines strange.
How can it be diagnosed?
Some people may use the word “high-functioning” to describe someone on the spectrum who:
- was diagnosed with autism as an adult or at a later stage in their childhood
- performs admirably in school or at a job
- has no obvious developmental disabilities or language differences
- can live on their own and be independent
Opponents of the word point out various flaws in it, arguing as follows:
- It favors some sort of functioning over others, such as language skills and the ability to understand social norms.
- It is ableist, judging certain persons to be more successful or less successful than others.
- It is strongly reliant on cultural norms that place a premium on academic achievement and linguistic proficiency.
- It may overlook the need for help for those classified as “high-functioning.”
- It emphasizes society’s interactions with autistic people over the autistic person’s interactions with society.
- Some individuals disregard autistic adults’ worries about how society treats autistic children by using the term “high-functioning.” When this happens, a parent or caregiver of an autistic child may argue that the child is “high-functioning.”
Takeaway
Doctors increasingly refer to autism as a spectrum rather than assigning functioning categories. A person may be highly effective in one area, such as academics, yet struggle in other areas, such as crowds or sensory overload. Certain functions are not prioritized above others in this spectrum perspective.
Furthermore, the autism spectrum approach combines multiple formerly separate diagnoses, such as Asperger’s syndrome, into a single set of symptoms.
To learn more about the levels and spectrum of autism, you can read medical journals on autism clinical trials and learn in-depth knowledge about the condition.