What’s It Like To Have High-functioning Autism?
A little over a decade ago, Anthony Hopkins received a diagnosis that didn’t surprise him too much. The doctors told him that he has Asperger’s syndrome. This means he falls within the spectrum of high-functioning autism.
In his own words, having high-functioning autism is an advantage. Why? Because his memory is great and he tends to analyze and take apart the characters he plays.
There are many more celebrities who belong to the autism spectrum, such as Albert Einstein, Tim Burton, Bill Gates, and Steven Spielberg. Taking these highly creative people as an example, you might think that having high-functioning autism is a blessing or luck.
However, don’t be fooled by appearances. Many of these people stand out in their field, be it artistic, technical or scientific. However, they often have many social and especially emotional limitations. These deficiencies are often a source of limitations and social problems.
Anthony Hopkins admits that for much of his life he has struggled with anger and his apparent difficulty connecting with people. He even had problems with alcoholism. Today he finds solace in music and painting. They help him to be in harmony with his emotional universe.
As striking as it may seem, scientists still have a lot to learn about autism. More importantly, humanity still lacks the tools and measures for early diagnosis, especially in cases where the symptoms are not so obvious.
Characteristics of people with high-functioning autism
Most people with high-functioning autism are diagnosed in adulthood. This may be because they have a sharp intelligence that enables them to overcome difficulties.
However, their family and their social environment suffer from certain limitations. Therefore, they tend to attribute such shortcomings to their personality. For example, they rarely suspect that an autism spectrum disorder is behind their behaviour. Read on to learn more about what people with high-functioning autism are like.
Greater verbal reasoning and spatial skills
As we mentioned above, people with high-functioning autism can express themselves easily. They speak, reason and communicate effectively and skillfully.
A notable feature is that not only is their IQ above average, but their ability in spatial intelligence also stands out.
This is because it translates into an ability to imagine and visualize. They can distinguish different objects of different sizes. They can also convert concepts and modify and manipulate their data.
Insatiable Curiosity
High-functioning autists are curious and have many interests. They focus on specific areas and become almost obsessed with them. They are also constantly looking for information. They question, research, and devote much of their time to their specific interests.
Social restrictions
Despite their intellectual prowess, there is one thing most high-functioning autists share: problems with social skills. They are not good at reading social situations and often feel lost.
They find it difficult to make contact with other people and avoid eye contact. They also feel different and prefer to be alone. During interactions, they prefer to debate rather than have a relaxed conversation where double meanings can prevail.
Anxiety Problems
Unfortunately, high-functioning autistic children are diagnosed as hyperactive. These are the restless children who touch everything and constantly ask questions. Studies like this one, conducted by Dr. Alinda Gilliot at the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, point to something remarkable.
They say that people with high-functioning autism often have anxiety problems and even obsessive-compulsive disorders. They also have a harder time controlling their emotions.
High-functioning autism and oxytocin
As with most neurological disorders, the autism spectrum is a complex combination. Its features include a different way of approaching reality. For starters, some forms are so severe that they can’t even communicate effectively.
There are other cases where Asperger’s syndrome manifests itself at the highest level. There may be physical, mental or motor disabilities, but they may have exceptional abilities for art and mathematics.
What about high-functioning autism? Why do some define it as mild autism and others as Asperger’s syndrome? This category is not officially part of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). However, it is an undeniable reality.
Some people reach adulthood before they know they are autistic. Only then do they understand the reason for their social and emotional limitations.
Interesting therapeutic research is currently underway on this topic. For example, the American National Institute of Mental Health has discovered that oxytocin improves the social behavior of people with high-functioning autism.
