The Autism Spectrum
According to Merriam Webster Dictionary, autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined as " developmental disorders marked by impairments in the ability to communicate and interact socially by the presence of repetitive behavior or restricted interested." autism is a spectrum disordered meaning it has different effects on each person, they have common symptoms but the specifics are different (Autism Facts Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). autism does not have a direct cause. Research has shown that some things cause an increased risk, but there is no direct cause. The most common risk factors for ASD include genetic, biological, and environmental factors. If your parent or sibling has ASD you are predisposed to have autism. If you have certain medical conditions your chance of having ASD is increased according to utism Support of West Shores, "ASDs tend to occur more often in people who have certain other medical conditions. About 10% of children with an ASD have an identifiable genetic disorder, such as Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, down syndrome and other chromosomal disorders." While parenting choices do not affect risk factors for ASD, taking some prescription drugs while pregnant does increase the risk. Some of the drugs are thalidomide and valproic acid (Autism Facts Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). ASD is a condition you are born with and does not go away. You can do therapy and different trainings, such as Applied Behavior Analysis Training, to help reduce the intensity of your symptoms.
High Functioning Autism
High Functioning Autism (HFA) is diagnosed when someone has autism, but has an IQ of 70 or more. The higher IQ means they are high functioning. It is important to understand that an IQ of 70 falls at the bottom of average for the generalized population. The IQ is considered high in the category of ASD. One common characteristic of HFA is the suspended understanding of language development. The largest qualifying factors of HFA are the above average IQ's and difficulty with communication. People with HFA and ASD struggle with social interactions. HFA has higher visual thinking skills than people with Aspergers, this is because of the higher IQ. Despite that HFA is high functioning most people diagnosed with it have a hard time functioning on their own. HFA is very similar to Asperger's Syndrome (AS). Whether HFA and Aspergers syndrome are different or the same is a continuous debate. Currently it is two different diagnoses on the autism spectrum, but it could be the same thing one day.
Differences between HFA and Aspergers Syndrome (AS):
Differences between HFA and Aspergers Syndrome (AS):
- People with HFA have interest in more topics and are more general as opposed to Asperger's where their interest are on specific topics
- HFA develops language skills slower than those with AS
- AS appears to have more issues relating to motor skills
- HFA is typically diagnosed at a later age
- Usually around elementary school when the child is being observed more
- Difficulty with social interactions
- Hard time expressing and interpreting emotions
- Average or high IQ
- Struggle with peer interaction
- Treatment plans are the same
HFA and AS have altered brain anatomy. According to Dr. Chris Plauche, "Right now we know for sure that folks with Aspergers have atypical function in the Fusiform Gyrus which is the part of the brain that emotionally recognizes familiar people."
Image: Shows location of Fusiform Gyrus, the area that recognizes people.
Image: Shows location of Fusiform Gyrus, the area that recognizes people.
The ratio of HFA in males and females is 4:1.
References:
Asperger's vs. High-Functioning Autism: Understanding the Difference. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from http://www.durham-autism.org/aspergers-high-functioning-autism-difference/
Autism Facts Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from http://www.act-today.org/autism-facts/
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). (2016, March 28). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
Autism Spectrum Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autism%20spectrum%20disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml
High-functioning autism. (2018, January 08). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-functioning_autism
High-Functioning Autism vs. Asperger's Syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://aspergers101.com/high-functioning-autism-vs-asperers-syndrome/
How are Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Different? (2012, July 24). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/asperger-syndrome-and-high-functioning-autism-tool-kit/how-are-and-hfa-dif
[Map of the brain with named locations]. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Gray727_fusiform_gyrus.png
What is Autism? (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.asws.org/WhatisAutism.aspx
Visual thinking. (2018, January 13). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_thinking
Asperger's vs. High-Functioning Autism: Understanding the Difference. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from http://www.durham-autism.org/aspergers-high-functioning-autism-difference/
Autism Facts Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from http://www.act-today.org/autism-facts/
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). (2016, March 28). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html
Autism Spectrum Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autism%20spectrum%20disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml
High-functioning autism. (2018, January 08). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-functioning_autism
High-Functioning Autism vs. Asperger's Syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://aspergers101.com/high-functioning-autism-vs-asperers-syndrome/
How are Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Different? (2012, July 24). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/asperger-syndrome-and-high-functioning-autism-tool-kit/how-are-and-hfa-dif
[Map of the brain with named locations]. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Gray727_fusiform_gyrus.png
What is Autism? (n.d.). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://www.asws.org/WhatisAutism.aspx
Visual thinking. (2018, January 13). Retrieved January 14, 2018, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_thinking