What Is High Functioning Autism?

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By lio
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Reviewed: dr. vanta
Article Sources Article Sources
  • 1. 'Autism Spectrum Disorder: MedlinePlus Genetics.' MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Aug. 2020, medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/autism-spectrum-disorder/#synonyms.
  • 2. 'Large Study Supports Discarding the Term 'High-Functioning Autism'.' Spectrum, 2 July 2019, www.spectrumnews.org/news/large-study-supports-discarding-term-high-functioning-autism/.
  • 3. Secondary Students With High-Functioning Autism, educationonline.ku.edu/community/secondary-students-with-high-functioning-autism.
  • 4. 'Autism Spectrum Disorder.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 Jan. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928.
  • 5. Morie, Kristen P, et al. 'Mood Disorders in High-Functioning Autism: The Importance of Alexithymia and Emotional Regulation.' Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7375152/.
  • 6. O'Neal, Susan Moreno and Carol. 'Tips for Teaching High-Functioning People with Autism.' Indiana Resource Center for Autism, www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/articles/tips-for-teaching-high-functioning-people-with-autism.html.
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3. Causes of Autism

While the causes of autism are not fully known, it's clear that autism is at least partially genetic. Changes in more than 1000 genes have been associated with autism spectrum disorder. However, not everyone with these genetic variations is affected. Non-genetic factors may contribute in up to 40 percent of cases.1‘Autism Spectrum Disorder: MedlinePlus Genetics.’ MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Aug. 2020, medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/autism-spectrum-disorder/#synonyms.

It's believed that environmental factors might help trigger autism. It isn't clear which environmental factors could play a role, but extensive research into vaccines indicates that they are not linked to autism.4‘Autism Spectrum Disorder.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 6 Jan. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20352928.

Autism

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