The appearance of a child with autism in the family imposes additional concerns and obligations on relatives and friends. The development of such children depends mainly on the perseverance and diligence of their environment. One form of the disease is high-functioning autism. How the disease manifests itself, what disputes and speculations are going on around and how to help the baby adapt to the world around him is the topic of today's serious conversation.
Autism and high functioning autism
The term "autism" refers to disorders in the development of the brain, as a result of which there is a lack of social interaction and difficulties in communication. Autistic interests are limited, actions are repetitive, contact with the outside world is minimal.
High-functioning autism is a form of the disease that is the subject of active medical discussion. The term is usually referred to people with a relatively high IQ (more than 70). The level of development of such patients allows to partially perceive and process external information. However, HFA patients are not spared from learning difficulties.social skills, they are a bit clumsy and often have speech delays.
Classification
Medicine classifies autism according to etiopathogenetic factors. This means that they take into account the totality of the causes and the mechanism of the development of the disease. Since the clinical manifestations of all types of autism are similar, they were singled out into a single group, which was called the term "autism spectrum disorders". ASD includes Kanner's syndrome, i.e. a severe form of early autism, Asperger's syndrome (high-functioning autism), endogenous autism, Rett's syndrome, autism of unknown origin and other types.
Causes of autism, causes of high functioning autism
Despite the fact that a huge number of scientists are studying the disease, it has not yet been possible to find out the general cause of autism. There are discussions about this. Even on the question of whether autism is caused by a single cause that affects genetics, cognitive development and neural connections, or these are different causes that affect the body at the same time, doctors cannot even find a common language.
The main responsibility for the appearance of autism is laid on genetics. But even here there is no complete clarity. Since there is an interaction of many genes and partial gene mutations with a strong effect.
The causes of high-functioning autism are also unclear. One of the latest studies in this area revealed the occurrence of structural anomalies incertain areas of the brain that are responsible for social interaction.
Another medical controversy
A number of scientists believe that the assertion that high-functioning autism is Asperger's syndrome is erroneous. They claim that these are different diseases with similar symptoms. Let's try to explain what these doubts are based on:
- With HFA, there is a delay in the development of speech, this is especially noticeable up to three years. There is no speech delay in Asperger's syndrome.
- Patients with Asperger's syndrome have better cognitive functioning than those with HFA.
- HFA has a higher IQ.
- Patients with Asperger's syndrome have a more pronounced delay in the development of fine motor skills.
- HFA patients have less deficits in non-verbal abilities.
- Asperger's patients have higher verbal abilities.
Nevertheless, these two conditions are considered by many to be one disease with little difference in symptoms and course.
Signs. Physiological abnormalities
High functioning autism, the features of which are discussed in this section, has a range of physical and behavioral manifestations. Observations were carried out in large groups of patients by different scientists, who noticed a certain pattern.
Physiological signs commonly seen in children with HFA include:
- Dumbed or overly sharp sensory perception.
- Frequent convulsions.
- Weakimmunity.
- Manifestation of irritable bowel syndrome.
- Violation of the functioning of the pancreas.
Behavioral deviations
High-functioning autism in children has a range of behavioral features:
- Speech problems. Until the age of one, children hardly walk, by two years the vocabulary is no more than 15 words, at three years the ability to combine words is inhibited. Children are incapable of generalization and use of personal pronouns. They talk about themselves in the third person.
- Weak or completely absent emotional contact with others. Children do not look into the eyes, do not ask for hands, do not smile in response to a smile. They do not single out parents, do not respond to requests.
- Difficulties in socialization. When surrounded by other people, the patient's high-functioning form of autism is manifested by discomfort, a desire to fence off, move away, hide. Autistic adults experience unconscious fear or anxiety.
- Bursts of aggression. Any displeasure causes autistic anger, aggression or hysteria. The patient may hit or bite. Often aggression is directed at oneself, this is observed in 30% of cases.
- Children with high-functioning autism show little or no interest in toys. They are not capable of imaginative thinking and do not understand what to do with toys. But a strong attachment to one toy or to any object can develop.
- Narrow area of interest. The ability to achieve results in one direction. Observation. Needto finish the started lesson.
- Stereotypical behavior. Tendency to a certain order of actions. Atypical high-functioning autism, like the normal form of autism, is accompanied by repeated repetition of the same word or action. In addition, patients subject their lives to a strict routine. Any deviations cause uncertainty or aggression. It can be very difficult to overcome aggression in this case.
High-functioning autism, the symptoms of which are discussed in the article, makes it possible for a child to study in a regular school. However, for this, parents will have to make a lot of efforts.
Autism Speculation
Many doctors and scientists have made their careers in autism research. But she also attracted a lot of scammers. So, British scientist Andrew Wakefield raised a huge wave in society by publishing a study that vaccinations against mumps, rubella and measles affect the development of autism in children. This topic received a huge response. However, after a while it was completely refuted. But vaccine opponents continue to speculate on the pseudo-study, without mentioning that it turned out to be wrong.
How to help a child with high functioning autism?
Autism is an incurable disease. It accompanies a person throughout life. The child grows up, and the quality of his adult life depends on the perseverance of his environment. If adults did not engage in corrective therapy and did not teach the childinteract with other people and objects, then he will never become independent.
There are a number of recommendations on how to organize the life of an autistic person with a high-functioning form of the disease. Their implementation makes it easier for the autistic person to interact with the outside world:
- Make a schedule, stick to a clear daily routine, warn of any changes in advance so that the autist gets used to the thought of changing the usual regimen.
- Identify external stimuli. Both a child and an adult with high-functioning autism can become aggressive at the slightest detail. This could be a certain color, sound, or action. Protect the autistic from annoying factors.
- Learn to calm the tantrums that HFA patients have quite often. Don't let the autistic person overwork and get tired.
- Be safe during a tantrum. Remove all dangerous items from the area.
- Don't yell or scare the autistic person, don't criticize their actions. This behavior will increase stress, and the patient will not be able to calm down for a longer time.
Don't refuse the help of psychologists, speech therapists and correctional programs. This will help a child with high-functioning autism to adapt a little in a complex and hostile world.
