{{Short description|Historical autism classification}} {{pp|small=yes}} {{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc}} {{Infobox medical condition (new) | name = High-functioning autism | image = | caption = | synonyms = Sukhareva syndrome<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Manouilenko I, Bejerot S | title = Sukhareva – Prior to Asperger and Kanner | journal = Nordic Journal of Psychiatry | volume = 69 | issue = 6 | pages = 479–82 | date = August 2015 | pmid = 25826582 | doi = 10.3109/08039488.2015.1005022 | s2cid = 207473133 | publication-date = 31 March 2015 | type = Report | url = http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-47358}}</ref> | field = Psychiatry | symptoms = Trouble with social interaction, impaired communication, restricted interests, repetitive behavior | complications = Social isolation, employment problems, family stress, bullying, self-harm<ref>{{cite web |title=Autism spectrum disorder - Symptoms and causes |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928 |website=Mayo Clinic |access-date=13 July 2019 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714024941/https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928 |archive-date=14 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> | onset = By age two or three<ref>{{cite web |title= NIMH " Autism Spectrum Disorder |url= https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd |website= nimh.nih.gov |access-date= 20 April 2017 |date= October 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170421093226/https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml |archive-date= 21 April 2017 |url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=American Psychiatric Association |title=Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) |chapter=Autism Spectrum Disorder. 299.00 (F84.0) |year=2013 |pages=50–59 |location=Arlington, VA |publisher=American Psychiatric Publishing |isbn=978-0-89042-559-6 |doi=10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596 |hdl=2027.42/138395}}</ref> | duration = Lifelong | causes = Genetic and environmental factors | risks = | diagnosis = Based on behavior and developmental history | differential = Asperger syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Tourette syndrome, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder<ref>{{cite web |last1=K Deserno |first1=Marie |title=“ Autism and depression are connected: A report of two complimentary network studies” |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7168804/ |website=pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov |access-date=10 Nov 2019}}</ref> | prevention = | management = Behavioral therapy, speech therapy, psychotropic medication<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Myers SM, Johnson CP | title = Management of children with autism spectrum disorders | journal = Pediatrics | volume = 120 | issue = 5 | pages = 1162–82 | date = November 2007 | pmid = 17967921 | doi = 10.1542/peds.2007-2362 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sanchack |first1=KE |last2=Thomas |first2=CA |title=Autism Spectrum Disorder: Primary Care Principles. |journal=American Family Physician |date=15 December 2016 |volume=94 |issue=12 |pages=972–79 |pmid=28075089}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sukhodolsky |first1=DG |last2=Bloch |first2=MH |last3=Panza |first3=KE |last4=Reichow |first4=B |title=Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety in children with high-functioning autism: a meta-analysis. |journal=Pediatrics |date=November 2013 |volume=132 |issue=5 |pages=e1341–50 |doi=10.1542/peds.2013-1193 |pmid=24167175|pmc=3813396}}</ref> | prognosis = | frequency = | deaths = }} '''High-functioning autism''' ('''HFA''') was historically an autism classification to describe a person who exhibited no intellectual disability but otherwise showed autistic traits, such as differences in social interaction, communication, and sensory processing. The term was typically applied to verbal autistic people of at least average intelligence.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Sanders|first1=James Ladell|title=Qualitative or Quantitative Differences Between Asperger's Disorder and Autism? Historical Considerations|journal=Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders|volume=39|issue=11|year=2009|pages=1560–1567|issn=0162-3257|doi=10.1007/s10803-009-0798-0|pmid=19548078|s2cid=26351778}}</ref><ref name="arn">{{cite journal |last1=Carpenter |first1=Laura Arnstein |last2=Soorya |first2=Latha |last3=Halpern |first3=Danielle |title=Asperger's Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism |journal=Pediatric Annals |year=2009 |volume=38 |issue=1 |pages=30–5 |doi=10.3928/00904481-20090101-01|pmid=19213291}}</ref> However, many in medical and autistic communities have called to stop using the term, finding it simplistic and unindicative of the difficulties some autistic people face.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2024 |title=Making information and the words we use accessible |url=https://www.england.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities/about/get-involved/involving-people/making-information-and-the-words-we-use-accessible/#:~:text=Many%20autistic%20people%20see%20autism,from%20autism%2C%20symptoms%20and%20treat. |access-date=August 25, 2024 |website=NHS England}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Price |first=Devon |title=Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity |date=April 5, 2002 |isbn=9780593235232 |pages=47 |publisher=National Geographic Books |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coffey |first=Laura T. |date=August 13, 2021 |title=Autism glossary: What to say, and what not to say, when talking about autism |url=https://www.today.com/parents/autism-terms-words-can-be-considered-insensitive-why-t227779 |access-date=August 25, 2024 |website=Today (TV show)}}</ref>
HFA has never been included in either the American Psychiatric Association's ''Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders'' (DSM) or the World Health Organization's ''International Classification of Diseases'' (ICD), the two major classification and diagnostic guidelines for psychiatric conditions. The DSM-5-TR subtypes autism into three levels based on support needs. Autism Level 1 has the least support needs and corresponds most closely with the "high-functioning" identifier.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders |date=March 18, 2022 |publisher=American Psychiatric Association (APA) |edition=5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR)}}</ref>
==Characterization== The term "high-functioning autism" was used in a manner similar to Asperger syndrome, another outdated classification. The defining characteristic recognized by psychologists was a significant delay in the development of early speech and language skills, before the age of three years.<ref name="arn" /> The term ''Asperger syndrome'' typically excluded a general language delay.<ref>[http://behavenet.com/aspergers-disorder Asperger's Disorder] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130425044118/http://www.behavenet.com/aspergers-disorder |date=2013-04-25}} – ''Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders'' Fourth edition Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) American Psychiatric Association (2000)</ref> Other differences were noted in features of high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome in a study of 112 children in Germany.<ref name="arn" />
HFA is not a recognised diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association or the World Health Organization; however, HFA was previously used in clinical settings to describe cases of autism spectrum disorder where indicators suggested an intelligence quotient (IQ) of 70 or greater.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}
===Comorbidities=== {{Main|Conditions comorbid to autism}} With the notable exception of intellectual disabilities, which were not part of HFA, comorbidities found in HFA populations reflected those found in autism. Between 40 and 55% of individuals with autism also have an intellectual disability.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Newschaffer |first1=Craig J. |last2=Croen |first2=Lisa A. |last3=Daniels |first3=Julie |last4=Giarelli |first4=Ellen |last5=Grether |first5=Judith K. |last6=Levy |first6=Susan E. |last7=Mandell |first7=David S. |last8=Miller |first8=Lisa A. |last9=Pinto-Martin |first9=Jennifer |last10=Reaven |first10=Judy |last11=Reynolds |first11=Ann M. |last12=Rice |first12=Catherine E. |last13=Schendel |first13=Diana |last14=Windham |first14=Gayle C. |year=2007 |title=The Epidemiology of Autism Spectrum Disorders* |journal=Annual Review of Public Health |volume=28 |issue=1 |pages=235–258 |doi=10.1146/annurev.publhealth.28.021406.144007 |issn=0163-7525 |pmid=17367287 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Studies that looked specifically at HFA have examined anxiety,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Reaven |first1=Judy |year=2011 |title=The treatment of anxiety symptoms in youth with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders: Developmental considerations for parents |journal=Brain Research |volume=1380 |pages=255–63 |doi=10.1016/j.brainres.2010.09.075 |pmid=20875799 |s2cid=5226904}}</ref> bipolar disorder, Tourette syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Both HFA and OCD have abnormalities associated with serotonin.<ref name="Mazzone">{{cite journal |doi=10.1186/1744-859X-11-16 |title=Psychiatric comorbidities in asperger syndrome and high functioning autism: Diagnostic challenges |year=2012 |last1=Mazzone |first1=Luigi |last2=Ruta |first2=Liliana |last3=Reale |first3=Laura |journal=Annals of General Psychiatry |volume=11 |pages=16 |pmid=22731684 |issue=1 |pmc=3416662 |doi-access=free}}</ref>
==See also== * Autism therapies * Causes of autism * Diagnosis of autism
== References == {{reflist}}
== Further reading == * {{cite book |title=Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's |first=John Elder |last=Robison |publisher=Three Rivers Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-307-39598-6 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/lookmeineyemyl00robi }} * {{cite book |last1 = McCreary |first1 = Michael |year = 2019 |editor-last = Ayer |editor-first = Paula |title = Funny, You Don't Look Autistic: A Comedian's Guide to Life on the Spectrum |language = en |publication-place = Toronto |publisher = Annick Press Ltd. |publication-date = 2019 |pages = 169 |isbn = 978-1-77321-257-9 |lccn = 2018303582 }} {{Pervasive developmental disorders}} {{Autism resources}}
Category:Autism Category:Learning disabilities