2. Consideration regulation variations
Excessive-functioning autistic adults can expertise consideration regulation variations. Multi-tasking and attentional switching between duties or stimuli could also be particularly difficult (Murray et al., 2005; Murray, 2018).
Autistic individuals typically involuntarily hyperfocus on their particular pursuits to the exclusion of different stimuli or calls for. This neurocognitive distinction is termed monotropism (Murray, 2018).
The tunnel imaginative and prescient related to monotropism signifies that some high-functioning autistic adults can expertise cycles of hyperfocus and burnout, particularly when learning or working in areas that eat their consideration and curiosity (Aherne, 2023).
These variations are thought to have a genetic and neurocognitive foundation and might considerably affect day by day life and social interactions (Aherne, 2023).
3. Emotional regulation variations
Excessive-functioning autistic adults might have hassle controlling their feelings. That is typically due to variations in how they course of sensory data, how they listen, and the ableism they face in a neurotypical world (Markram & Markram, 2010).
Emotional regulation variations may embrace heightened anxiousness and difficulties in social interactions, particularly in new and unfamiliar conditions (Aherne, 2023).
4. Social communication variations
On the entire, neurodivergent adults of every kind are direct communicators and like clear communication with others (Aherne, 2023). Some high-functioning autistic adults could also be particularly literal of their communication and interpretation of others’ phrases (Waizbard-Bartov et al., 2023).
Excessive-functioning autistic adults might discover deciphering nonverbal social cues difficult. These issues typically happen when autistic individuals attempt to navigate the oblique communication model of neurotypical individuals, who might suggest issues, drop hints, and use physique language to convey additional layers of that means when speaking (Armstrong, 2010; Aherne, 2023).
Lodging, changes, and options
Understanding and accommodating these variations can tremendously improve the standard of life for high-functioning autistic adults. This requires easy environmental and communication changes and tailor-made help methods that play to a person’s strengths (Altogether Autism, 2022).
A Energy-Primarily based Strategy to HFA
A strengths-based strategy to understanding high-functioning autism focuses on the benefits related to the above variations.
1. Heightened consciousness and optimistic appreciation
Sensory processing variations typically embrace an distinctive consciousness of element, refined shifts in exterior circumstances, and an elevated appreciation of optimistic stimuli in nature, artwork, music, and through protected connections with others (Nerenberg, 2020).
Whereas high-functioning autistic adults could also be extra delicate to environmental and social triggers, they’re additionally extra delicate to “glimmers” — optimistic, regulating, and nourishing stimuli (Rizzo & Röck, 2021).
2. Deep focus
Consideration variations embrace a capability for deep, sustained consideration and concentrate on duties and matters of curiosity. This has been confirmed to reinforce the productiveness of autistic adults within the office when employed in an occupation that performs to their particular person strengths (Eng, 2018).
Excessive-functioning autistic adults have an distinctive capability to take care of particulars others miss, together with refined shifts in have an effect on and habits in different individuals (Rizzo & Röck, 2021).
3. Higher appreciation and pleasure
Strengths related to emotional regulation variations embrace a heightened capability for appreciation, pleasure, and awe in protected, inclusive, and regulating environments (Markram & Markram, 2010). It will probably additionally result in an enhanced capability for empathy, particularly with different neurodivergent individuals (Rizzo & Röck, 2021).
For an attention-grabbing snapshot of how sensory processing variations, consideration variations, and emotion regulation variations are intertwined, watch this excerpt from TV presenter Chris Packham’s BBC documentary sequence Inside Our Autistic Minds.
