Treatment FAQ

high functioning autism treatment and where to seek help or school

by Magnolia Blanda Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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If you’re looking for resources for high-functioning autism, check with your local school district and reputable non-profit organizations for recommendations. An effective educational program will help children integrate academic learning, play, and social life for a more independent adulthood.

Full Answer

What is the best school for autism?

The school is the first college and career preparatory school specializing in STEM for students on the autism spectrum ... an umbrella nonprofit that will operate Science Prep Academy on top of sponsoring other opportunities for the neurodivergent ...

Is there a private school for autism?

You may not realize this, but there are actually many academic options for children with autism. Some public schools have extensive programs aimed at helping special needs students. Private schools for children with autism and other learning disabilities are also an option to consider. But, you won't trust your child's education to just anyone.

What is high functioning autism called?

What is High-Functioning Autism? As noted above, high-functioning autism is not a medical diagnosis. It is more a classification of an ASD individual with a milder level of severity on the autism spectrum. Those referred to as high functioning used to (usually) fall into the out-of-date Asperger syndrome or PDD diagnostic classification.

What are the characteristics of high functioning autism?

What are the Characteristics of High Functioning Autism?

  • Autism Symptoms Range from Mild to Severe. Autism is a disorder of the brain that causes impairment of language, communication and social abilities.
  • High Functioning Autism Characteristics. People with milder forms of autism do not have the extreme delay or profound lack of language development that is seen in more severe forms of ...
  • Sources

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What type of school is best for high functioning autism?

Private schools are typically chosen by families with high-functioning autistic students. They want the child to have a tailored education, and special-ed classes in public schools don't seem effective. Parents who can't cover the high fees may not feel ready to take advantage of the benefits.

What help is there for high functioning autism?

Support for ASDSpeech therapy. ASD can cause a variety of speech issues. ... Physical therapy. Some autistic people have trouble with motor skills. ... Occupational therapy. ... Sensory training. ... Applied behavioral analysis (ABA). ... Medication.

How can I help my high-functioning autistic child at school?

Use a written or verbal schedule to prepare for change. Use positive and chronologically age-appropriate behavior procedures. Avoid “babying” your student on the spectrum by over-supporting his/her or speaking at a level associated with younger students. Consistent treatment and expectations from everyone is vital.

How do you discipline a high-functioning autistic child?

Discipline Strategies for Children With AutismUnderstand Their Behavior.Use Positive Reinforcement.Teach Self-Calming Techniques.Control Their Environment.Stick to Routines.Communicate Clearly.Ignore Harmless Behaviors.Put Safety First.More items...•

Is high-functioning autism a disability?

What is high functioning autism? Autism is a developmental disability. High-functioning autism generally refers to autistic people who have significantly developed language and independent living skills. However, the term is problematic, and it is not a clinical diagnosis.

What is the difference between high-functioning autism and Aspergers?

Asperger's is more noticeable in boys. High-Functioning Autism specifically applies to children with autism who have an IQ of 70 or higher and exhibit milder symptoms. For example, these children exhibit fewer language delays, few to no cognitive deficits, and better spatial skills.

Does my special needs child have to go to school?

The only other exception in most states where a child is allowed to not attend school without penalty is when the child qualifies for homebound and hospitalized services. Homebound and hospitalized service is provided to pupils unable to attend school because of a medical condition.

What does high-functioning autism look like in school?

Parents and teachers may notice that young autistics have problems interacting with their peers. These symptoms of high-functioning autism in children and teenagers can include a limited social circle, problems sharing toys or materials, and difficulty completing group work.

Can autistic child study in normal school?

Autism has a wide spectrum and not every individual with autism can find a place in mainstream schools. However, I have had a few success stories where the right support and timely intervention helped. Several students from my schools were able to successfully complete their education from mainstream schools.

What do you do with an autistic child out of control?

Look for the early signsStay calm. Breathe. ... Talk quietly. Talk less. ... Create a safe zone. You'll need one or two calm adults to stay with an aggressive child. ... When restraint is needed. Even short-term physical restraints should be an option of last resort.

Should you punish a child with autism?

Your child might not understand the consequences of their actions, which can be frustrating. However, you should refrain from any kind of physical or verbal punishment that could have a negative effect on your child. Instead, be gentle with your words and actions.

Does autism get worse with puberty?

Autism doesn't affect when puberty starts.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by social skills, behavior, and sensory sensitivity not seen in neurotypical individuals. 1

Autism and Asperger's

Prior to the publication of the DSM-5, psychologists distinguished autism from Asperger's syndrome, and there is a long history of research surrounding ASD.

What Does "High Functioning" Mean?

So, what does it mean if you are autistic and "high functioning?" It depends. Typically, if someone is diagnosed with ASD: Level 1, they are considered "high functioning." However, someone's social skills might be Level 1, and their behavioral issues might be Level 2.

Diagnosing High-Functioning Autism

Typically, a psychologist with specialized training in ASD diagnoses autism through a specialized evaluation. Some commonly used measures used to diagnose autism include:

Treatment for High-Functioning Autism

Treatment options for autism include occupational therapy, physical therapy, and talk therapy. Although Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is sometimes referred to as the "gold standard" of autism treatment, 9 the autistic community has raised concerns that the treatment is sometimes abusive. 10

Autism and Stigma

Much of the language around autism is focused on the deficits and struggles that autistic people might face, and deficit-based language has been shown to increase stigma. 12 In fact, autism is associated with different cognitive strengths, and research has shown that a strengths-based approach to treatment can be effective. 13

Peer Support for Autistic Individuals

Peer support and advocacy are key for autistic individuals. Those looking to connect with organizations run by and for autistic people can refer to the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network and the Asperger/Autism Network .

1. The Autism Academy of Learning

This autism academy of learning is a school that is specially designed with educational tools for autism students. This institution is located in Toledo, Ohio. This school is a 1-round state charter academy for children who have been diagnosed with autism. The Autism Academy of Learning gets a whole-child strategy to enlightenment.

2. Land Park Academy

This institution is a behavioral-concerned course established in Sacramento, California. It was built on the grounds of decades of expertise in operating with people on the autism rainbow. Kadiant allows inmates, their parents, and crew members the chance to reflect brightly.

3. The Jericho School

Parents and regional business individuals founded this school in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jericho School gives specific, science-based learning possibilities for somebody with autism and supplementary developmental ailments.

4. Lionsgate Academy

This academy is a federal charter academy admissible to learners of every skill in classes seven within 12 and additionally extends a transformation curriculum for learners ages 18-21.

5. The Victory Center

This particular center is a Florida-based school that is specially designed for the educational purposes of autistic children. It is a non-sectarian philanthropic organization that grants children with autism and associated disabilities complete individualized therapy.

6. Camphill Special School

This particular school for autistic children aims to produce wholeness for children and teens with developmental inabilities through study, extensive family existence, and treatment to be wholly recognized, more thoroughly discover their potential, and meaningfully engage in life.

7. Imagine Academy

Imagine Academy in Brooklyn, New York, was established to blend children’s learning. This school has a unique curriculum that combines the two leading figures, DIR/ Floortime, including ABA, to evaluate and improve individualized programming for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and different developmental trials.

What Is High-Functioning Autism?

Specialists diagnose autism on a spectrum. For those with high-functioning autism, symptoms are less severe. For many, it may take longer to recognize and diagnose the symptoms of high-functioning autism. Signs of high-functioning autism may include:

Support for Students with High-Functioning Autism

Supporting the learning and growth of a child with high-functioning autism may seem overwhelming. For school-aged children, there is a wealth of resources for students with high-functioning autism. Some schools have specialized programs to integrate social skills training with academics.

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"We have recently learned that our daughter has (or might have) High-Functioning Autism, and we're wondering about what comes next. We were not prepared to hear that she is anything other than happy and healthy, and this diagnosis is particularly worrisome."

My child has been rejected by his peers, ridiculed and bullied !!!

Social rejection has devastating effects in many areas of functioning. Because the ASD child tends to internalize how others treat him, rejection damages self-esteem and often causes anxiety and depression. As the child feels worse about himself and becomes more anxious and depressed – he performs worse, socially and intellectually.

How to Prevent Meltdowns in Children on the Spectrum

Meltdowns are not a pretty sight. They are somewhat like overblown temper tantrums, but unlike tantrums, meltdowns can last anywhere from ten minutes to over an hour. When it starts, the Asperger's or HFA child is totally out-of-control. When it ends, both you and your child are totally exhausted. But... don’t breathe a sigh of relief yet.

Parenting Defiant Teens on the Spectrum

Although Aspergers [high-functioning autism] is at the milder end of the autism spectrum, the challenges parents face when disciplining a teenager on the spectrum are more difficult than they would be with an average teen.

Older Teens and Young Adult Children with ASD Still Living At Home

Your older teenager or young “adult child” isn’t sure what to do, and he is asking you for money every few days. How do you cut the purse strings and teach him to be independent? Parents of teens with ASD face many problems that other parents do not. Time is running out for teaching their adolescent how to become an independent adult.

Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism

Two traits often found in kids with High-Functioning Autism are “mind-blindness” (i.e., the inability to predict the beliefs and intentions of others) and “alexithymia” (i.e., the inability to identify and interpret emotional signals in others). These two traits reduce the youngster’s ability to empathize with peers.

Highly Effective Research-Based Parenting Strategies for Children with Asperger's and HFA

Become an expert in helping your child cope with his or her “out-of-control” emotions, inability to make and keep friends, stress, anger, thinking errors, and resistance to change.

What is misbehavior in autism?

Usually misbehavior is the result of efforts to survive experiences which may be confusing, disorienting, or frightening. People with autism are, by virtue of their disability, egocentric. Most have extreme difficulty reading the reactions of others.

Why do students have more unusual behaviors?

An increase in unusual or difficult behaviors probably indicates an increase in stress. Sometimes stress is caused by feeling a loss of control. Many times the stress will only be alleviated when the student physically removes himself from the stressful event or situation.

Can an autistic person remember to bring a pencil to class?

Or, he may have an incredible memory about books he has read, speeches he has heard, or sports statistics, but still may not be able to remember to bring a pencil to class.

Can autism be abstract?

People with autism have problems with abstract and conceptual thinking. Some may eventually acquire abstract skills, but others never will. When abstract concepts must be used, use visual cues, such as drawings or written words, to augment the abstract idea.

Is fluorescent lighting distracting for autism?

For example, the hum of fluorescent lighting is extremely distracting for some people with autism.

Can a student with autism have a partner?

Or ask an especially kind student if he or she would agree to choose the individual with autism as a partner before the pairing takes place. The student with autism is most often the individual left with no partner. This is unfortunate since these students could benefit most from having a partner.

What is misbehavior in autism?

Usually misbehavior is the result of efforts to survive experiences which may be confusing, disorienting, or frightening. People with autism are, by virtue of their disability, egocentric. Most have extreme difficulty reading the reactions of others. Most high-functioning people with autism use and interpret speech literally.

Why do students have more unusual behaviors?

An increase in unusual or difficult behaviors probably indicates an increase in stress. Sometimes stress is caused by feeling a loss of control. Many times the stress will only be alleviated when the student physically removes himself from the stressful event or situation.

Can autism be a straight A student?

People with autism have trouble with organizational skills, regardless of their intelligence and/or age. Even a "straight A" student with autism who has a photographic memory can be incapable of remembering to bring a pencil to class or of remembering a deadline for an assignment. In such cases, aid should be provided in ...

Can a student with autism have a partner?

Or ask an especially kind student if he or she would agree to choose the individual with autism as a partner before the pairing takes place. The student with autism is most often the individual left with no partner. This is unfortunate since these students could benefit most from having a partner.

Can an autistic person remember to bring a pencil to class?

Or, he may have an incredible memory about books he has read, speeches he has heard, or sports statistics, but still may not be able to remember to bring a pencil to class.

Is fluorescent lighting distracting for autism?

For example, the hum of fluorescent lighting is extremely distracting for some people with autism.

Is autism a manipulative person?

Do not take misbehavior personally. The high-functioning person with autism is not a manipulative, scheming person who is trying to make life difficult. They are seldom, if ever, capable of being manipulative.

How does ABA work with autism?

This approach generally involves therapists who work intensely, one-on-one with a child for 20 to 40 hours/week. Children are taught skills in a simple step-by-step manner, such as learning colors one at a time. The sessions usually begin with formal, structured drills, such as learning to point to a color when its name is given ; then, after some time, there is a shift towards generalizing skills to other situations and natural environments.

Who is the author of Understanding and Treating Anxiety in Autism?

The book is edited by ARI's executive director, Stephen M. Edelson, and past ARI Board

How much autism does a fraternal twin have?

The Hallmayer study found that the co-occurrence of autism in fraternal twins was much lower, about 21%-36%. Based on those results, the researchers estimated that genetics accounts for about 38% of autism and that environmental factors account for about 58%.

What are the causes of autism?

Autism appears to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but it is generally unclear which genetic and which environmental factors are important. About 5-10% of autism cases involve a single severe genetic defect or disorder, such as Fragile X or tuberous sclerosis, and many of those individuals develop the symptoms of autism. However, 90-95% of cases do not involve a single severe defect, but instead, appear to require a complex set of many genetic variations and environmental factors.

What is autism label?

It is important to understand that autism is a label for people who have a certain set of symptoms ( impairments in social skills, language, and behavior). The label of autism does not explain the cause of autism, and it is likely that multiple factors can contribute to the symptoms of autism.

What is autism spectrum disorder?

Autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that it affects people differently. Some children may have speech, whereas others may have little or no speech.

Why aren't references included in autism diagnosis?

Because of limited time and space, detailed explanations and references are not included. Receiving a diagnosis of autism can be devastating to some parents, but for others it can be a relief to have a label for their child’s symptoms. Some parents can be overwhelmed by fear and grief for the loss of the future they had hoped for for their child, ...

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