Autism is a developmental disability that affects people in different ways. Common symptoms include difficulty with social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and communication difficulties. As experts learn more about the disorder, they have come to realize there are many other signs throughout life which help identify autism-related symptoms earlier on.
The “symptoms of high-functioning autism in female adults” is a condition that many people are not familiar with. The symptoms can vary depending on the person’s age and gender.
Autism High Functioning Symptoms
- Psychological Sensitivity
- Fixation on Specific Ideas or Subjects
- Linguistic Strangeness
- Social Challenges
- Processing Physical Sensations Issues
- adherence to routines
- Creating Repeated or Restrictive Habits
- Unfavorable to Change
- Consider Yourself
- Different Movement Patterns
The prevalence of autism diagnoses is still increasing, particularly as parents and medical professionals become more aware with the signs of high-functioning autism. Because their unique behaviors are no longer dismissed as mere social difficulty or eccentricity, many patients are receiving the support they need to lead full, productive lives. There will be a greater variety of therapies accessible to autistic persons as more compassionate medical and mental health experts become familiar with the most prevalent signs of autism.
See also: What are the 10 autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Signs that are Most Common?
Psychological Sensitivity
Sensitivity to emotions is a typical problem for those on the upper end of the autism spectrum, while being often disregarded. Although they are capable of carrying out daily tasks, these people find it difficult to restrain their emotions in the same way that neurotypical, or non-autistic, persons can. For instance, a bad morning event like running out of milk or being cut off while driving might make you irritable and make it hard for you to focus the remainder of the day. Compared to the general population, people with autism may also have emotionally intense emotions that are exceptionally strong.
Fixation on Specific Ideas or Subjects
One way that autistic fixations might show themselves is by talking about the same subjects in conversation all the time, excessively listening to the same music over and again, or reading every article ever published on a certain subject. If these hobbies dominate the person’s life or disrupt their interactions with others, they may be harmful. Of course, these obsessions may sometimes be advantageous; Dan Aykroyd, the Ghostbusters writer and performer, was motivated by his interest in ghosts and the paranormal. Numerous other high-functioning autistic people have utilized their interest in literature, biology, or mathematics to launch successful professions.
Linguistic Strangeness
Low-functioning autistic children often have difficulty learning to talk, expanding their vocabulary, and engaging in social interactions. On the upper end of the scale, their counterparts could speak considerably sooner than is typical and often have an amazing vocabulary. They could avoid conversing with their classmates because they find other people’s talks tedious or hard to follow. Due to their varied vocabulary, frequent interruptions, or exclusive emphasis on certain issues, many persons with moderate autism may come out as just quirky during talks rather than having any neurological symptoms.
Social Challenges
Young children with autism may struggle to engage with their classmates, as parents and teachers may have seen. Children and teens with high-functioning autism may exhibit a small social circle, trouble sharing toys or resources, or difficulties completing group projects. When a young person is actually dealing with autism and in need of counseling services to help them learn social rules, they are sometimes mistakenly labeled as shy, quirky, or socially awkward. However, social interaction issues are typically caused by a lack of understanding of appropriate peer behavior. Young people with autism may learn the best methods to engage with their peers and future friends with early assistance from mental health specialists.
Processing Physical Sensations Issues
Sensory issues are common in people with autism. Certain sounds, tastes, scents, or sensations could be unbearable to them. Uncomfortable clothes or inappropriate touching may also cause emotional distress, as can noisy public spaces. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports that while these problems may be upsetting and distressing, autism symptoms can gradually lessen when kids with moderate autism gain the ability to control their own behavior with expert intervention.
adherence to routines
Those with high functioning autism are often routine-obsessed. They could follow routines that were established for them by others, such reading for exactly 15 minutes before bed or cleaning their teeth precisely 5 minutes after a meal. Any kind of interruption from the pattern, such a parent having to attend to a sick brother at night rather than reading to the child, might make the person upset. The high-functioning autistic person may spend an excessive amount of time going through their routines at the expense of self-care, sleep, exercise, schoolwork, or education.
Creating Repeated or Restrictive Habits
Another indication of high-functioning autism is repetitive behaviors. These behaviors could make it difficult for the individual to accomplish their goals or those of others. Movement-related repetitive habits might be one of them. Before they are satisfied and may begin walking or leaving the home, the person may need to tie and knot their shoes many times. Some individuals acquire stifling habits that prevent them from leading socially acceptable lives. An person could, for instance, insist on wearing just t-shirts and refuse to wear any other kind of clothing. If they reside in a region with cold weather, this can have an effect on their health and wellbeing.
Unfavorable to Change
A hallmark of high-functioning autism is a strong Unfavorable to Change. An individual might eat the same meal every day for breakfast, and they may eat it in the same quantity, on the same dish, and in the same place. Any disruption or change in the routine could cause an outburst in the individual. For example, if the usual brand of peanut butter has run out, and a different brand has been purchased instead, the person with high-functioning autism may have an outburst of anger or frustration. If someone has used their preferred dish, they may have a similar outpouring of volatility.
Consider Yourself
People with high-functioning autism may have trouble developing deep social relationships with others. Part of this issue also includes an inordinate Consider Yourself. A person with high-functioning autism may spend an excessive amount of time talking about themselves, not allowing another person to share a complete thought or response. This makes carrying on a conversation difficult. In the family or household setting, a person with high-functioning autism may only think of themselves when doing activities. For example, they might pour themselves a drink without asking if anyone else would also like a drink. They might take more than what others perceive as a fair share of a snack or treat, genuinely not thinking that others might also want some of the items.
Different Movement Patterns
A person with high-functioning autism may have Different Movement Patterns. Toe walking is a common movement disorder. The person may walk on their toes or the ball and the toes of the feet without putting much bodyweight on the other parts of the foot. This can result in foot pain in the ball, hammertoe, or bunion from the excessive pressure. The shoes and socks may wear out in the forefoot area much faster than in the heel area. People who walk on their toes may experience more foot injuries, such as blisters, calluses, and corns on their footpads and toes. Toe walking is more common in young children and people with musculoskeletal, explains the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Top 20 Best Applied Behavior Analysis Programs is a related resource.
Autism does not always manifest as physical tics or a lack of social skills Helping professionals must continue to advocate for acknowledgment of the variety of behaviors linked with the autism spectrum since people with high functioning autism often have symptoms that were not previously connected with autism. Knowing these 10 high-functioning autism signs may help professionals, parents, schools, and others plan early care for a person with this condition.
Related:
The signs of high-functioning autism in toddlers age 2 include not making eye contact, not responding to their name, and not being able to imitate facial expressions.
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Janice is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Special Education. She also holds a Master of Science in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) from Queen’s University, Belfast. She has worked with and case managed children and youth with autism and other intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in home and residential setting since 2013.