| Autism as a disorder is diagnosed on the basis of | | | | functioning autism may even be able to live full, |
| abnormalities detected in the subject in the | | | | normal lives. |
| spheres of social interaction, communication, | | | | Raising a child with high-functioning autism is not |
| imagination, combined with a marked tendency | | | | the end of the world either for the child or his |
| towards indulging in peculiar, repetitive behavior. | | | | family. There are only certain things that have to |
| Most autistic subjects also have very few | | | | be done if the child has to make quick recovery. |
| interests and passions and largely keep to | | | | Visiting treatment centers |
| themselves. So how is the condition of high | | | | Once the diagnosis of high-functioning autism has |
| functioning autism different and how is the | | | | been made on the child, he needs to be |
| diagnosis made on the subject? | | | | immediately taken for treatment. The earlier the |
| The term, 'High-Functioning Autism', also called | | | | therapy commences, the better it is for the child. |
| HFA, applies to people suffering from autism, who | | | | Each school district in the United States offers |
| also register an IQ of 80 or above. People with | | | | programs that help and assist children with such |
| HFA also have a clear ability to speak, read and | | | | conditions. |
| write. Hence, people diagnosed with HFA might | | | | Mapping out a strategy for treatment |
| actually have normal or even above-average | | | | The strategy for therapy has to be decided upon |
| intelligence on the whole and might not at all seem | | | | and implemented without delay. Autism is not a |
| that cognitively challenged at all. | | | | disease - it is only a mental condition which |
| An autistic person who displays all the signs of | | | | involves a different kind of brain functioning. |
| typical HFA except having a history of delayed or | | | | Charting out the best course of therapy and |
| abnormal speech development, is said to be | | | | getting to it as soon as possible helps the child |
| suffering from Asperger's Syndrome (AS). | | | | overcome his challenges that much faster. |
| There is a school of thought that believes that | | | | Experts formulate a strategy for social, |
| both AS and HFA are types of a disability in the | | | | communication, motor and other behavior skills. A |
| autistic child. But that might not be the case at all. | | | | specialized therapy plan, called the Individual |
| Children suffering from high-functioning autism are | | | | Education Plan (IEP) is worked at, after the |
| only different as compared to others, not | | | | specialist brainstorms with the parents and |
| necessarily disabled. | | | | teachers. Methodically laying out this plan is what |
| Sometimes, certain types of high-functioning | | | | helps the child progress in the academic and other |
| autism are diagnosed as Asperger's Syndrome | | | | fields of his life. |
| and certain other Pervasive Developmental | | | | Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) |
| Disorders (PDD). The symptoms of such types of | | | | ABA is applied to reward these children for right |
| HFA are more or less those of regular autism. | | | | behavior, so that they learn to reform from it. |
| There might be a delay in speech development, | | | | They are also taught to let go of their stubborn |
| understanding of language and slang, repetitive | | | | tendencies and develop better social and |
| behavior and rigid, unchanging and stubborn mental | | | | communication skills. |
| attitude. | | | | Conclusion |
| A child who is diagnosed with HFA should | | | | Treating children with HFA is slowly becoming |
| immediately be taken to a specialized professional, | | | | easier, thanks to the discovery of new strategies |
| such as a pediatric neurologist or child | | | | and therapies available for the condition. If treated |
| psychologist, who would be able to suggest | | | | early enough, children suffering from high |
| further course of treatment. With regular | | | | functioning autism can lead a normal, successful |
| treatment and therapy, children with high | | | | life ahead. |