Signs of high-functioning autism in adults often involve social communication challenges (difficulty with eye contact, sarcasm, social cues), intense special interests, strict routines, sensory sensitivities (to light, sound, textures), and literal thinking, leading to feeling overwhelmed or isolated despite strong verbal skills, with many learning to "mask" these traits by mimicking others.
Individuals with HFA typically have normal to above-average intelligence and may excel in certain areas, such as academics or specific interests. However, they often struggle with social interactions, communication, and understanding social cues, which can impact their daily lives.
Level 1 autism: “Requiring support”
May appear to have decreased interest in social interactions. For example, a person who is able to speak in full sentences and engages in communication but whose to- and-fro conversation with others fails, and whose attempts to make friends are odd and typically unsuccessful.
The term “high-functioning autism” is an informal label that some use to describe autistic people with low support needs. It's not an official diagnosis, and it can be offensive and misleading. In general, autistic people with low support needs can go to school, work, and live independently without much outside help.
One common expression of anger in high-functioning autism is intense emotional outbursts such as tantrums, verbal aggression, and even physical aggression. These episodes can include shouting, name-calling, hitting, slapping, or destroying objects.
Studies have found that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aggregates in families, and twin studies estimate the proportion of the phenotype variance due to genetic factors (heritability) to be about 90%.
Meltdowns are often the result of situations with high demand in one or a few of the following areas: Social situations (for example social anxiety or misunderstandings) Sensory overload (for example to much noise, light, itchy clothes) Experiencing changes and unpredictable things.
Top 10 Calming Strategies for Autism
Summaries for Autism 7
It is characterized by a triad of limited or absent verbal communication, a lack of reciprocal social interaction or responsiveness, and restricted, stereotypic, and ritualized patterns of interests and behavior (Bailey et al., 1996; Risch et al., 1999).
This state of hyper-arousal can lead to autistic people experiencing meltdowns or shutdowns as a result of being completely overwhelmed. Several autistic people have talked of experiencing alexithymia a difficulty identifying, understanding and describing emotions).
Masking is a strategy used by some autistic people, consciously or unconsciously, to appear non-autistic. While this strategy can help them get by at school, work and in social situations, it can have a devastating impact on mental health, sense of self and access to an autism diagnosis.
Children with autism may exhibit rigidity, inflexibility and certain types of repetitive behavior such as: Insistence on following a specific routine. Having difficulty accepting changes in the schedule. A strong preoccupation with a particular interest.
Chinning is a form of repetitive self-stimulatory behavior (stimming) that you may notice in children or adults with autism. It involves pressing, rubbing, or holding the chin against objects, surfaces, or even hands to gain sensory input or comfort.
In general, people who have an active lifestyle are much more emotionally resilient and focused. There also seems to be some evidence that physical exercise helps people with depression and ADHD, which are commonly co-occurring conditions with autism.
Among those with autism, common triggers include disturbing breaks in routine, lack of sleep, jarring “sensory stimuli” (noises, lights, or smells) or even undiagnosed mental health problems.
Examples of literal thinking in autism
Common colloquial phrases are sometimes taken literally by autistic individuals, who may misunderstand the meaning. For example, if someone says, “Break a leg” or “Hit the books,” a literal thinker might take it as actually breaking a leg or physically striking their books.
Many autistic people are motivated to have friends, relationships and close family bonds, despite the clinical characterisation of autism as a condition negatively affecting social interaction. Many first-hand accounts of autistic people describe feelings of comfort and ease specifically with other autistic people.
A: Both parents can carry genes associated with autism, even if they don't show any signs themselves. These genes can be passed down to children through either the mother, the father, or both.