Let’s begin by first defining what autism is. The official name is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and it’s a neurological and developmental disorder. One possible cause of ASD is a genetic brain condition. In other cases, the cause is not always clear. It’s commonly called a “developmental disorder” because ASD usually appears by the time a child is two years old.
People with ASD behave differently than most people. These differences can be extreme and very much interfere with their day-to-day life. Someone with High Functioning Autism—as the name implies—displays less impactful behavioral and communication differences.
The 3 Levels of Autism Spectrum Disorder
While an ASD level can be diagnosed as early as 18 months, it can be difficult to assess. A good start is to develop a relationship with an experienced therapist.
Level 1
This is where High Functioning Autism fits in. The child’s IQ is 70 or higher. Their symptoms are mild. Daily life can appear and feel typical with very limited cognitive or language delays. Asperger’s Syndrome is also Level 1, which we will discuss below.
Level 2
Someone at this level will require support—like social skills training and speech therapy—on a daily basis.
Level 3
A person with Level 3 ASD may require full-time outside support. Daily functioning is an ongoing challenge.
The Differences Between High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome
Both conditions are considered Level 1 (read: mild) but are not the same. The two primary differences are:
- People with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) are often not diagnosed until adulthood. It’s not unusual for a child diagnosed with High Functioning Autism (HFA) to have that diagnosis changed to AS later in life.
- A child with AS does not typically display language delays or impairments. With HFA, language deficits present in early development.
3 Common Signs of High Functioning Autism
Difficulties With Social Interactions
What is first deemed shy or “awkward” could be worth watching. A child with HFA may display difficulty with essential interactions like:
- Making friends
- Group work
- Sharing
Social norms are not as obvious to a child with HFA. Early intervention can help set them for success as they move into their teenage years and adulthood.
Fixation
Some of the fixations can be relatively harmless. A person with HFA could listen to the same song over and over. They may obsess over a topic—talking about it and researching it. Unless this kind of fixation interferes with daily life, it’s usually called “quirky.”
However, an obsession with routines can turn into something negative. People with HFA can get so attached to routines that any deviation can cause distress. An over-dependence on routines can hamper day-to-day needs.
Toe Walking
HFA can manifest in unusual movement patterns. Toe walking is a common example. As you might imagine, it’s a way of walking that has the person putting little or no weight on their heels. It looks awkward, but that’s not the primary concern.
Such an uneven gait puts stress on different parts of the foot, ankle, knees, and hips. Toe walkers experience more foot injuries than others—along with related issues like blisters, calluses, hammertoe, and bunions. Input from an orthopedic expert or podiatrist can help address some of these issues.
Talk to a Professional ASAP
Parents and caretakers can identify signs but cannot diagnose autism. It is crucial to develop an early connection with a skilled therapist to help your entire family manage such a diagnosis. If you feel your child is displaying possible symptoms, get them checked out as soon as possible. If you have questions you can contact me or book an appointment.
