What is High-Functioning Autism and How Is It Diagnosed?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAutism With Low Support NeedsSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentSupport

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Autism With Low Support Needs

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

Support

People with autism who have low support needs (previously called high-functioning autism or Asperger’s syndrome) may not need as much support as other autistic people; however, they may still find some day-to-day activities a challenge.Sinceautismis a spectrum disorder, this means people have a wide range of needs and abilities.

Autistic adults and children with low support needs share traits that can lead to differences with their neurotypical peers. Support strategies can help to manage traits like sensory overload, not understanding social cues, and difficulty controlling emotions.

© Verywell, 2017

Autism with low support needs describes people with autism traits that appear mild. The official diagnostic term is autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Level 1.

Is Asperger’s the Same as Low Support Needs?Asperger’s syndromeis no longer used as a diagnosis or a way to categorize autism.It was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 2013 when a new edition (DSM-5) was published. Now, people with autism labeled as “high functioning” are usually diagnosed with Level 1 ASD.The Asperger’s term is still used in research literature.

Is Asperger’s the Same as Low Support Needs?

Asperger’s syndromeis no longer used as a diagnosis or a way to categorize autism.It was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 2013 when a new edition (DSM-5) was published. Now, people with autism labeled as “high functioning” are usually diagnosed with Level 1 ASD.The Asperger’s term is still used in research literature.

People with autism now are evaluated on the basis of support needs. In the autism community, functioning labels are discouraged because they can be misleading. A person can be able to function independently in some areas but require significant support in other areas.

People labeled as high-functioning can often have significant needs that are overlooked. It’s preferred to describe people in terms of their support needs rather than function.

Level 1 Autism Traits

The symptoms of autistic adults and children with low support needs vary but generally fall into certain categories:

Repetitive actions and self-stimulating behaviors (stimmingor stims), as well as a limited focus on specific interests, can occur. These can be disruptive to social relationships.

Some people with Level 1 autism only experience mild challenges in their lives because of these symptoms. Others find that these symptoms make certain aspects of their lives more difficult to undertake without help.

However, the autism traits in some people with low support needs may go unrecognized or they are attributed to another cause. They may mask these traits well and not receive a formal autism diagnosis until adolescence or adulthood.

A more formal autism evaluation includes questionnaires and tests, such as:

Self-DiagnosisGetting diagnosed with autism as an adult is not always possible because there are many barriers, like cost and access.Within the autism community, there is growing acceptance of self-diagnosis, especially for people who have less access to a formal diagnosis.

Self-Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with autism as an adult is not always possible because there are many barriers, like cost and access.Within the autism community, there is growing acceptance of self-diagnosis, especially for people who have less access to a formal diagnosis.

It’s important for healthcare providers to be a part of an autistic person’s support network. People with low support needs still face challenges. They also may have co-occurring mental health disorders and physical health conditions, like gastrointestinal disorders, that require care.

Depending on the type of support an autistic person needs, treatments likespeech-language therapyandsocial skillstraining can address some of the challenges they’re facing and empower them with resources they need in their lives.

Educators and professionals should be made aware of the invisible challenges for autistic people with low support needs. These include sensory issues, emotional regulation, social skills, executive function, verbal communication, and mood disorders.

It’s also important to remember that autistic children with low support needs grow into adults with low support needs, even among adults who are mostly independent.

Support for Level 1 Autism

Autistic people with low support needs often still need help. Their needs can change over time, or with a specific setting. Like neurotypical people, they may need more help when stressed, sick, or hurt, or when facing significant life changes,

Some people may need help with certain tasks, like organizing their budget, staying on top of personal care and appointments, and finding employment, even though they don’t need help with other skills. A support network of family, friends, and community members is crucial.

TheAutistic Self Advocacy Networkand the Autism Research Institute are among the organizations that can help connect autistic adults with information and resources.

People with autism may not always recognize that they need more help, but their loved ones may pick up on signs that they’re not coping well. Some clues include:

Black-and-white thinking can also make it harder for an autistic person to accept that their needs have changed and no longer “fit” the label they were given. Even if it’s only temporary, the “mismatch” can be very distressing and confusing. They need to feel safe about asking for and accepting more support when they need it.

Summary

Even though functioning labels like “high-functioning autism” and “Asperger’s” are less common today, many providers still use them to talk about people living with autism and the support they need to live their lives.

Someone with low support needs likely still needs help, even if it’s not as much or as often as other autistic people. It’s important to have a support network that includes caregivers, mental health providers, and healthcare providers.

13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.de Giambattista C, Ventura P, Trerotoli P, Margari M, Palumbi R, Margari L.Subtyping the Autism Spectrum Disorder: Comparison of Children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome.J Autism Dev Disord. 2019 Jan;49(1):138-150. doi: 10.1007/s10803-018-3689-4American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.Barahona-Corrêa JB, Filipe CN.A Concise History of Asperger Syndrome: The Short Reign of a Troublesome Diagnosis. Front Psychol. 2016 Jan 25;6:2024. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.02024.Schevdt S, Needham I.Possible signs of sensory overload.Psychiatr Prax.2017 Apr;44(3):28-133. doi:10.1055/s-0042-118988National Institute of Mental Health.Autism Spectrum Disorder.Micai M, Fatta LM, Gila L, Caruso A, Salvitti T, Fulceri F,et al.Prevalence of co-occurring conditions in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2023 Dec;155:105436. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105436Lewis LF, Stevens K.The lived experience of meltdowns for autistic adults.Autism. 2023 Aug;27(6):1817-1825. doi: 10.1177/13623613221145783National Institute on Deafness and Other Hearing Disorders.Autism spectrum disorder: communication in children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder.Lupindo BM, Maw A, Shabalala N.Late diagnosis of autism: exploring experiences of males diagnosed with autism in adulthood.Curr Psychol. 2022 Aug 3:1-17. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03514-zChristiansen J, Pedersen L.ADOS-2 Module 4: Psychometric Properties and Diagnostic Performance at an Autism-specialized Clinic.J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 Jul 30. doi:10.1007/s10803-024-06480-6Mandy W, Clarke K, McKenner M, et al.Assessing autism in adults: An evaluation of the Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview—Adult Version (3Di-Adult).J Autism Dev Disord. 2018;48(2):549-560. doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3321-zUniversity of Washington.Self-diagnosis-friendly resources and communities.

13 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.de Giambattista C, Ventura P, Trerotoli P, Margari M, Palumbi R, Margari L.Subtyping the Autism Spectrum Disorder: Comparison of Children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome.J Autism Dev Disord. 2019 Jan;49(1):138-150. doi: 10.1007/s10803-018-3689-4American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.Barahona-Corrêa JB, Filipe CN.A Concise History of Asperger Syndrome: The Short Reign of a Troublesome Diagnosis. Front Psychol. 2016 Jan 25;6:2024. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.02024.Schevdt S, Needham I.Possible signs of sensory overload.Psychiatr Prax.2017 Apr;44(3):28-133. doi:10.1055/s-0042-118988National Institute of Mental Health.Autism Spectrum Disorder.Micai M, Fatta LM, Gila L, Caruso A, Salvitti T, Fulceri F,et al.Prevalence of co-occurring conditions in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2023 Dec;155:105436. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105436Lewis LF, Stevens K.The lived experience of meltdowns for autistic adults.Autism. 2023 Aug;27(6):1817-1825. doi: 10.1177/13623613221145783National Institute on Deafness and Other Hearing Disorders.Autism spectrum disorder: communication in children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder.Lupindo BM, Maw A, Shabalala N.Late diagnosis of autism: exploring experiences of males diagnosed with autism in adulthood.Curr Psychol. 2022 Aug 3:1-17. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03514-zChristiansen J, Pedersen L.ADOS-2 Module 4: Psychometric Properties and Diagnostic Performance at an Autism-specialized Clinic.J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 Jul 30. doi:10.1007/s10803-024-06480-6Mandy W, Clarke K, McKenner M, et al.Assessing autism in adults: An evaluation of the Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview—Adult Version (3Di-Adult).J Autism Dev Disord. 2018;48(2):549-560. doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3321-zUniversity of Washington.Self-diagnosis-friendly resources and communities.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

de Giambattista C, Ventura P, Trerotoli P, Margari M, Palumbi R, Margari L.Subtyping the Autism Spectrum Disorder: Comparison of Children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome.J Autism Dev Disord. 2019 Jan;49(1):138-150. doi: 10.1007/s10803-018-3689-4American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.Barahona-Corrêa JB, Filipe CN.A Concise History of Asperger Syndrome: The Short Reign of a Troublesome Diagnosis. Front Psychol. 2016 Jan 25;6:2024. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.02024.Schevdt S, Needham I.Possible signs of sensory overload.Psychiatr Prax.2017 Apr;44(3):28-133. doi:10.1055/s-0042-118988National Institute of Mental Health.Autism Spectrum Disorder.Micai M, Fatta LM, Gila L, Caruso A, Salvitti T, Fulceri F,et al.Prevalence of co-occurring conditions in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2023 Dec;155:105436. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105436Lewis LF, Stevens K.The lived experience of meltdowns for autistic adults.Autism. 2023 Aug;27(6):1817-1825. doi: 10.1177/13623613221145783National Institute on Deafness and Other Hearing Disorders.Autism spectrum disorder: communication in children.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder.Lupindo BM, Maw A, Shabalala N.Late diagnosis of autism: exploring experiences of males diagnosed with autism in adulthood.Curr Psychol. 2022 Aug 3:1-17. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03514-zChristiansen J, Pedersen L.ADOS-2 Module 4: Psychometric Properties and Diagnostic Performance at an Autism-specialized Clinic.J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 Jul 30. doi:10.1007/s10803-024-06480-6Mandy W, Clarke K, McKenner M, et al.Assessing autism in adults: An evaluation of the Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview—Adult Version (3Di-Adult).J Autism Dev Disord. 2018;48(2):549-560. doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3321-zUniversity of Washington.Self-diagnosis-friendly resources and communities.

de Giambattista C, Ventura P, Trerotoli P, Margari M, Palumbi R, Margari L.Subtyping the Autism Spectrum Disorder: Comparison of Children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome.J Autism Dev Disord. 2019 Jan;49(1):138-150. doi: 10.1007/s10803-018-3689-4

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.

Barahona-Corrêa JB, Filipe CN.A Concise History of Asperger Syndrome: The Short Reign of a Troublesome Diagnosis. Front Psychol. 2016 Jan 25;6:2024. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.02024.

Schevdt S, Needham I.Possible signs of sensory overload.Psychiatr Prax.2017 Apr;44(3):28-133. doi:10.1055/s-0042-118988

National Institute of Mental Health.Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Micai M, Fatta LM, Gila L, Caruso A, Salvitti T, Fulceri F,et al.Prevalence of co-occurring conditions in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2023 Dec;155:105436. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105436

Lewis LF, Stevens K.The lived experience of meltdowns for autistic adults.Autism. 2023 Aug;27(6):1817-1825. doi: 10.1177/13623613221145783

National Institute on Deafness and Other Hearing Disorders.Autism spectrum disorder: communication in children.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Lupindo BM, Maw A, Shabalala N.Late diagnosis of autism: exploring experiences of males diagnosed with autism in adulthood.Curr Psychol. 2022 Aug 3:1-17. doi:10.1007/s12144-022-03514-z

Christiansen J, Pedersen L.ADOS-2 Module 4: Psychometric Properties and Diagnostic Performance at an Autism-specialized Clinic.J Autism Dev Disord. 2024 Jul 30. doi:10.1007/s10803-024-06480-6

Mandy W, Clarke K, McKenner M, et al.Assessing autism in adults: An evaluation of the Developmental, Dimensional and Diagnostic Interview—Adult Version (3Di-Adult).J Autism Dev Disord. 2018;48(2):549-560. doi:10.1007/s10803-017-3321-z

University of Washington.Self-diagnosis-friendly resources and communities.

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