ABA Therapy Resources
Imagine this: your 8-year-old is a math whiz, reads at a high school level, and knows everything about dinosaurs. But they avoid eye contact, get overwhelmed by loud noises, and have meltdowns when routines change. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What does high-functioning autism look like?” this might be it.
High-functioning autism can be easy to miss. Children may appear gifted or simply “quirky,” but underneath, they often face challenges with social cues, sensory processing, and flexibility. Understanding what it really looks like can help parents support their child’s unique strengths and needs.
What is High-Functioning Autism?
While “high functioning autism” isn’t an official medical term found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it’s widely used to describe individuals on the autism spectrum who have strong verbal communication skills and can handle basic life skills independently. The American Psychiatric Association now classifies this as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1.
Before 2013, conditions like Asperger’s syndrome were considered separate from autism spectrum disorder. When the DSM-5 was published, all these related conditions were unified under the umbrella term “autism spectrum disorder.”
This change reflects our growing understanding that autism exists on a spectrum. Some autistic people need extensive daily support, while others live independently, hold jobs, and even excel in their chosen fields.
Understanding the Autism Spectrum
The autism spectrum isn’t linear – it’s more like a color wheel with different combinations of traits and intensities. One autistic person might excel at pattern recognition while struggling with social relationships. Another might have strong empathy but find loud noises unbearable.
Current research suggests that autism results from differences in brain development that occur in early childhood. These neurological differences affect how autistic people process sensory input, communicate with others, and understand social expectations.
What makes high-functioning autism particularly complex is that many individuals develop sophisticated coping mechanisms over time. This “masking” can make it difficult for family members, teachers, and even mental health professionals to recognize the underlying challenges.
What Does High-Functioning Autism Look Like? Core Signs and Symptoms
Social Communication Challenges
Eye Contact Difficulties
Many autistic people can make eye contact, but it often feels uncomfortable or overwhelming. Some describe it as distracting, making it hard to process what someone is saying. Others may stare intensely without realizing it makes others uncomfortable.
Reading Social Cues
Unlike neurotypical children who naturally pick up on facial expressions and body language, autistic individuals often need direct instruction to understand social cues. They may take jokes literally, miss sarcasm, struggle with nonverbal communication, and have difficulty recognizing when someone is bored or navigating unwritten social rules.
Conversation Patterns
Many autistic individuals are great at sharing in-depth knowledge about their interests but may find typical back-and-forth conversations challenging. They might dominate discussions about favorite topics, interrupt when excited, struggle with small talk, or have trouble shifting between topics.
Behavioral Traits and Repetitive Patterns
Stimming Behaviors
Self-stimulatory behaviors, like hand flapping, rocking, pen clicking, or leg bouncing, help regulate sensory input and emotions, offering comfort, focus, or a way to express excitement. While these actions may seem unusual to others, they often serve an important self-soothing purpose for autistic individuals.
Special Interests
Autistic children may develop encyclopedic knowledge in their chosen areas and maintain these interests for years. While these can become valuable career assets, they might also interfere with other activities when too consuming.
Routine and Predictability
Changes in schedule or unexpected events can trigger significant anxiety. This reflects the autistic brain’s preference for predictability rather than stubbornness or control-seeking behavior.
Sensory Processing Differences
Sensory sensitivities affect the vast majority of autistic people and significantly impact daily life. These can involve:
Sound Sensitivities
Everyday sounds like vacuum cleaners or hand dryers can feel overwhelming for some autistic individuals, who may also notice subtle noises such as buzzing fluorescent lights that others easily ignore. Quiet spaces are often essential to help them regulate and feel calm.
Visual Sensitivities
Bright lights, especially fluorescent lighting, can feel exhausting for some autistic individuals. They may prefer dimmer environments and often notice visual details that others easily overlook, which can become distracting.
Touch Sensitivities
Many autistic individuals experience discomfort with clothing tags or certain fabrics, avoid unexpected touch, and have specific preferences when it comes to physical contact. These sensitivities are part of how they process and respond to sensory input.
Taste and Smell
What may seem like picky eating is often a response to genuine sensory discomfort. Many autistic individuals have restricted diets due to texture or taste sensitivities and may also react strongly to certain environmental odors.
How High-Functioning Autism Looks at Different Ages
Early Childhood (Ages 2-5)
In young children, high-functioning autism symptoms may present as advanced vocabulary paired with unusually formal speech, a preference for solitary play or lining up toys, and difficulty with sharing or taking turns. Repetitive movements like toe walking, strong reactions to sensory input, and resistance to changes in routine are also common signs.
School Age (Ages 6-12)
During the school years, high-functioning autism may show through strong skills in subjects like math or science, along with difficulty navigating group work and social norms. A child might want friends but struggle to connect, show deep knowledge of special interests, feel overwhelmed in noisy settings, and be described by teachers as “smart but different.”
Adolescence (Ages 13-18)
During the teenage years, autistic individuals may become more aware of social differences and begin masking behaviors to fit in, often leading to anxiety around social pressures. They may struggle with abstract thinking, identity formation, and face a higher risk of mental health challenges like anxiety and depression.
Adulthood
Adults with high-functioning autism may thrive in technical or specialized careers but often face challenges with workplace social dynamics. They may prefer smaller social circles, benefit from late diagnosis and increased self-understanding, develop effective coping strategies over time, and still require accommodations to succeed in professional settings.
Strengths and Abilities
High-functioning autism comes with notable strengths:
Cognitive Abilities
- Exceptional attention to detail
- Strong pattern recognition skills
- Excellent memory for areas of interest
- Logical, systematic thinking
- Honest, authentic communication
Professional Advantages
- Success in STEM fields
- Technical expertise and precision
- Independent work style
- Creative problem-solving from unique perspectives
- Reliability and dedication
When to Seek an Autism Diagnosis
Consider seeking an evaluation if you notice:
- Persistent social communication challenges
- Sensory sensitivities affecting daily life
- Rigid thinking patterns or difficulty with change
- Intense interests that interfere with other activities
- Social exhaustion after interactions
- Feeling “different” throughout life without understanding why
The Diagnosis Process
An autism diagnosis typically involves:
- Developmental history review – comprehensive background assessment
- Behavioral observations – in various settings
- Standardized assessments – specialized autism evaluation tools
- Team approach – multiple professionals providing input
Professional team members may include:
- Developmental pediatricians
- Child psychologists
- Speech-language pathologists
- Occupational therapists
- Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)
Support and Treatment Options
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy
ABA therapy is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals with high-functioning autism build social communication, develop coping strategies, strengthen academic and life skills, and improve emotional regulation for greater independence and daily success.
In-home ABA therapy offers key benefits like learning in familiar, natural environments, active family involvement and training, personalized treatment plans, and consistent support across daily settings to reinforce skills and progress.
Other Helpful Interventions
- Speech-Language Therapy: Speech-language therapy helps improve social communication by teaching individuals how to understand nonverbal cues and develop effective conversation skills.
- Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy focuses on sensory integration, improving fine motor skills, and building independence through support with daily living tasks.
- Social Skills Training: Social skills training provides explicit instruction in social rules, guided practice with peers, and strategies for navigating common social challenges.
Living Successfully with High-Functioning Autism
Daily Strategies
- Create predictable routines to reduce anxiety
- Identify sensory triggers and develop accommodations
- Practice social situations before they occur
- Build on special interests for motivation and connection
- Develop self-advocacy skills to communicate needs
Educational Support
Schools can support students by offering accommodations like sensory breaks, quiet spaces, written instructions, visual schedules, modified assignments and tests, social skills support, and transition planning to ease changes between activities or school stages.
Workplace Accommodations
Successful employment often depends on a quiet environment, clear written communication, and well-structured tasks. Flexible scheduling can also support productivity, especially when paired with understanding supervisors and coworkers who value different working styles.
Conclusion
High-functioning autism often blends remarkable strengths with unique challenges, making it easy to overlook or misunderstand. Recognizing what it looks like, whether it is social struggles, sensory sensitivities, or extraordinary talents, can help families provide the right support and build greater empathy. With early identification and personalized interventions, children and adults with high-functioning autism can thrive in school, relationships, and careers.
At Nurturing Nests Therapy Center, we specialize in helping families in Los Angeles navigate autism with confidence and care. If you think your child may be showing signs of high-functioning autism, our team is here to guide you through the next steps with compassion and expertise. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore the support options that fit your family’s needs.
FAQs
What is it like having high-functioning autism?
Having high-functioning autism means excelling in certain areas while finding social situations exhausting and everyday sensory experiences overwhelming. Many also experience repetitive behaviors like stimming and other mental health conditions like anxiety.
How to tell if someone is high-functioning autistic?
Look for difficulty with eye contact, social cues, sensory sensitivities, and intense interests, combined with strong verbal skills. Unlike severe symptoms in other developmental disorders, these signs are often subtle.
How do I know if I’m slightly autistic?
If you’ve always felt “different,” struggle socially, have strong sensory preferences, and rely on routines, consider seeking an accurate diagnosis. Many adults discover they’re autistic when these patterns finally make sense.
Can someone with high-functioning autism live a normal life?
Yes, many people with high-functioning autism live independent, successful lives with fulfilling careers and relationships. An official diagnosis can help access appropriate supports and accommodations.
