Exploring Myths and Realities of High Functioning Autism Symptoms

As a person with high functioning autism who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in 2013, I know high functioning autism symptoms pretty well.

If you are part of the autism community in any way, you’ve probably heard the term high functioning autism before.

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Many don’t like it, however, because they believe it creates autism stigmatization.

From a personal perspective, I’m qualified to talk about the phase high functioning autism symptoms in adults because a lot of people have used this term to describe me.

As someone who often carries this label, whether I personally like it or not, means I can also provide an insiders view about the good and bad, autism stigmatization, and everything else that goes with having high functioning autism symptoms.

What Exactly is High Functioning Autism?

High functioning autism (HFA) is a term applied to people on the autism spectrum who have average or above average intelligence and language abilities. While those with HFA may have challenges with communication and social interaction, they are often able to live independently as adults.

The term “high functioning autism” is controversial within the neurodiversity community. Many people dislike functioning labels because autism exists on a spectrum and everyone has areas of strength and difficulty. Labels like high functioning autism symptoms can minimize the struggles a person faces. Some prefer the term “mild autism” or no label at all.

However, high functioning autism is still a clinical diagnosis used by medical and mental health professionals. It’s one way of describing where a person falls on the spectrum. Those with high functioning autism symptoms typically do not have an intellectual disability per se, but do show traits of autism such as:

Difficulty with back-and-forth conversation
Tendency to interpret things very literally
Strong focus or interest in specific subjects or activities
Sensory sensitivities
Challenges making and keeping friends

People with high functioning autism symptoms often excel in visual skills, math, music or academia. But they struggle in areas like social communication, flexibility in thinking and behavior, coordinating motor movements, and managing anxiety. High functioning autism in women is a diagnosis that is increasing, perhaps due to the clinical community’s better understanding of the disorder and how females present symptoms differently than males.

Those high functioning autism symptoms describe me very well. One hundred percent, actually. And I’m far from alone with my various abilities and differences when it comes to individuals on the high end of the autism spectrum.

History of High Functioning Autism Aspergers Syndrome Diagnosis

In the past, many people now diagnosed as HFA would have been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome instead. This was considered a distinct disorder from autism, characterized by average or high intelligence and less significant language delays.

In 2013, the same year I was diagnosed, the DSM-5 diagnostic manual folded Asperger’s Syndrome into the autism diagnosis, discontinuing it as a separate condition. Some criticism followed, as many valued the Asperger’s diagnosis for recognizing strengths in the same breath as challenges.

The familiarity of the Asperger’s term also gave a sense of identity to those affected.

However, research couldn’t find a clear distinction between Asperger’s Syndrome and high functioning autism. Both conditions result from similar brain differences and require similar treatment approaches. The DSM-5 switch aimed to develop a more universal diagnosing process across the autism spectrum.

Today, Asperger’s syndrome (high functioning autism aspergers) is still used informally or referred to as a previously diagnosed condition. But it no longer represents an official clinical diagnosis.

Read more about Autism vs Asperger’s Syndrome and What You Need to Know

Common High Functioning Autism Symptoms in Adults

Because HFA is on the milder end of the spectrum, traits may not be immediately obvious. Children with high functioning autism are often diagnosed between the ages of 5-11, much later than those with more involved forms of autism. It is also becoming more common to not receive a diagnosis until a teen or adult.

A few key traits were mentioned earlier, but an expanded list of behaviors and symptoms of high functioning autism may include:

Advanced vocabulary at an early age but delay in back-and-forth conversations
Tendency to launch into long speeches about favorite topics
A strong visual learning style
Difficulty making age-appropriate friends
Trouble understanding social cues like facial expressions or body language
Clumsiness or uncoordinated motor movements
Heightened sensitivity to touch, textures, smells or sounds
High levels of anxiety or intense reactions to stress
Repetitive behaviors like hand flapping, toe walking or skin picking
Rigid following of routines and difficulty with transitions or changes
Highly restricted interests that border on obsession

READ MORE about Adult with Autism Signs – Traits to Look For

Keep in mind symptoms differ significantly from one person to the next. Those with high functioning autism symptoms in adults have a unique mix of strengths and challenges.

Getting Support for High Functioning Autism Symptoms in Adults

Although high functioning autism is considered mild, people diagnosed still benefit from support services and accommodations. Often social skills training, speech therapy, medication, or counseling help manage challenging symptoms and help to overcome autism stigmatization.

In school, having an IEP or 504 plan provides accommodations like extra time on tests, alternative seating arrangements, access to special education services, and technology supports. These services aim to help students with HFA handle areas of difficulty while playing to their strengths.

As adults, finding an understanding employer and accessing adult disability services greatly improves quality of life. Small workplace or living adjustments allow those with HFA to succeed while accounting for sensory sensitivities and needs for structure.

Many innovative companies now actively recruit autistic employees, valuing their intense focus, attention to detail, and outside-the-box thinking. Customized supports empower those with high functioning autism to thrive without autism stigmatization.

Getting an accurate diagnosis from a clinical expert involves assessing developmental history and observing behavior across multiple environments. Above all, remember that if you or a loved one exhibits symptoms, it is never too late to be diagnosed. As more becomes known about high functioning autism in women, it can be especially helpful for females who have felt they have to mask symptoms to fit in.

READ MORE about Work and Autism – What Employers Should Know About Neurodiversity.

Common Strengths Associated with High Functioning Autism Aspergers

Although everyday life brings challenges, individuals with high functioning autism also demonstrate strengths in various areas, including:

Logical Thinking:

People with HFA often have excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities. Their visual, non-verbal reasoning skills allow them to discover solutions others might miss.

Honesty & Reliability:

Those on the spectrum tend to embody intense ethics of honesty and dependability. Their distaste for deception makes them trusted friends and employees.

Creativity & Invention:

Many great minds in computer programming, math, and the sciences have displayed autism traits. Autism often coincides with intense creativity and skills of concentration.

Pattern Recognition:

People with HFA excel at recognizing patterns in code, numbers, objects or behaviors. This allows them to shine in fields like software development, economics, library science, or quality assurance.

Focus & Persistence:

When interested in a topic, they demonstrate an incredible drive to master the facts and details. This focus makes them extremely knowledgeable and persistent in their fields of interest.

Visual Learning Style:

Those with high functioning autism tend to be visual, pattern-based learners and thinkers. This lends itself well to the visual nature of many STEM careers.

Destigmatizing High Functioning Autism Symptoms in Society

While the high functioning label has drawbacks, it’s important for understanding a segment of people on the spectrum. High functioning autism aspergers individuals often have above average capabilities that allow them to make significant contributions to society when given the proper supports.

However, autistics often continue to face autism stigmatization and discrimination in our neurotypical-dominated world. Common misconceptions that those with HFA:

Aren’t disabled enough to need supports
Could function better if they just tried harder
Have poor social skills because they are aloof or rude
Can’t handle high-pressure jobs
Are weird or should be avoided

In reality, autism is a complex condition that presents immense challenges invisible to an outside observer. What looks like anti-social behavior often ties to sensory overload or poor non-verbal communication skills. Minimal support takes HFA strengths like intense focus, loyalty, and logic skills and transforms lives.

Famous People with High Functioning Autism Aspergers

Many famous scientists, innovators, and creators throughout history likely fell on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum. While not formally diagnosed, they displayed common traits in their tendency towards intense focus, pattern recognition, and outside-the-box thinking.

Some examples include:

Albert Einstein – The legendary physicist who developed the theory of relativity was considered aloof and eccentric. His non-linear thought processes led to groundbreaking connections between space, time, energy and matter.
Nikola Tesla – The renowned inventor filed hundreds of patents based on visual inventions that appeared fully formed in his mind. This aligns with common autistic talents in mental visualization and pattern-based thinking.
Emily Dickinson – The poetic genius preferred to spend time alone obsessively tending her garden. Her ability to describe intricate details of nature ties to autistic pattern recognition and attention to detail.
Satoshi Tajiri – The creator of Pokémon focused intently on insect collecting as a child. This strict special interest in how bugs evolve mirrors common autism tendencies.
Stanley Kubrick – The cinematic mastermind behind classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey developed highly meticulous filmmaking techniques. His reclusive nature and intensity of focus resemble common high functioning autism qualities.
Tim Burton – The imaginative film director displays sensory issues and social awkwardness in interviews. His visually dazzling films brim with autism-like attention to strange details and patterns.

These creators used traits like intense attention, strong visualization abilities and outside-the-box thinking to change their fields. Their uncompromising commitment to passions despite social stigma has inspired generations.

Celebrity Autism Advocates of High Functioning Autism

In recent decades, several celebrity advocates have opened up about living with high functioning autism. By speaking out, they help spread understanding and acceptance of autistic traits:

Dan Aykroyd – The actor/comedian behind Ghostbusters reports obsessively focusing on police work and the paranormal as a child. He champions autism organizations and notes how supports assist achievement.
Anthony Hopkins – The distinguished actor only received an autism diagnosis in his 70s. He hopes to ease stigma so others access help earlier than he did.
Susan Boyle – The singer’s atypical rise to fame on “Britain’s Got Talent” helped authentically represent the autism community and high functioning autism in women. She exemplifies how judgments of odd behavior can underestimate talent.
Greta Thunberg – The young climate activist leverages her autistic passion and direct communication style to demand environmental action. She role models focusing intense interests into world change. She is a positive example of high functioning autism in women.
Elon Musk – The founder of Tesla openly discusses the benefits and challenges of high functioning autism. His innovation in engineering self-driving cars improves mobility for all.
Sia – The Australian singer has publicly stated she joins the growing number of high functioning autism in women. She further said as part of her high functioning autism symptoms, she would have to “put her human suit on” before performing.

Through openly embracing their diagnoses, advocates such as these forward a more accurate and hopeful narrative around autism spectrum abilities. They provide diverse role models of autistic success in the public eye and high functioning autism aspergers.

Diversity Such As High Functioning Autism Strengthens Society

While autism presents challenges, embracing neurological diversity also benefits communities overall. We all think, communicate and process the world differently based on our wiring.

By empowering those with high functioning autism to apply intense skills and alternative perspectives, we propel innovation in science, technology, art and human rights.

Through choosing inclusion over autism stigmatization, understanding over judgment, and support over dismissal, we build a society with space for all types of minds to thrive.

Though labels have limitations, terms like high functioning autism further this by recognizing a segment of thinkers with incredible gifts to offer our world.

It’s time we move beyond functioning levels to neurodiversity as an integral part of human neurological differences and without autism stigmatization. By welcoming those with high functioning autism into schools, workplaces and communities. We need and will allow their talents to enrich society as a whole.

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Connor McClure

I'm a young adult navigating life with autism. By sharing my experiences and views, I hope to create a better awareness, understanding, and compassion for those on the spectrum. Let's connect!

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