Autism Therapy: high-functioning autism

definition of high-functioning autism: Refers to higher skill levels in people who have some kind of special need or impairment. For people with autism, there is a range of severity of autism between individuals. For example, someone who has good communication skills and appropriate behaviors is said to be high functioning.

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Increasing Independence in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review of Three Focused Interventions
J Autism Dev Disord, by Hume, K., Loftin R., and Lantz J., published in 2009, summarized May 4, 2010

Interventions such as self-monitoring, video modeling, and individual work systems may help children with autism to be more independent.

While autism therapies may teach skills to children with autism, often the children depend on adult support in order to do these skills. Even people with high-functioning autism may rely a lot on adult prompts and feedback. The fact that many children and adults with autism cannot function by themselves means that they have poorer outcomes. Many interventions for children with autism focus on helping children to function by themselves. This article describes things that prevent people with autism from working by themselves and three interventions that may promote independence.


Brief Report: Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Parent-Reported Autism Symptoms in School-Age Children with High-Functioning Autism
J Autism Dev Disorder, by Wood, JJ, Drahota A., Sze K., Dyke Van M., Decker K., Fujii C., Bahng C., and Renno P., published in 2009, summarized Apr 15, 2010

Core autism symptoms such as social communication deficits may be improved by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Social communication problems have proven hard to change through social skills training. This pilot study was designed to see the effect of a CBT program on parent-reported core autism symptoms. The study had 19 children (7 to 11 years old) with high-functioning autism who received 16 sessions of CBT. The CBT program focused on children’s emotion regulation, on-site social coaching, parent training, and school support. The authors found that parent-reported autism symptoms were lower in the CBT group than in the waitlist control group.


Concept Mastery Routines to Teach Social Skills to Elementary Children with High Functioning Autism
J Autism Dev Disorder, by Laushey, KM, Heflin LJ, Shippen M., Alberto PA, and Fredrick L., published in 2009, summarized Apr 13, 2010

Direct visual approaches to teach social skills may be very helpful for children with autism who are mainstreamed in elementary school.

Students with high functioning autism, in the absence of social skills training, who are placed in the classroom with neurotypical peers may have problems with normal behavior. The purpose of this study was to see if concept mastery routines could be used to enhance the social skills of children with high functioning autism. Concept mastery routines are a type of direct training of social skills that uses a visual method of teaching. The children were also given many chances to practice their social skills with their peers. All four students in this study showed improved social skills after the use of concept mastery routines.


‘Hath Charms to Soothe…’: An Exploratory Study of How High-functioning Adults with ASD Experience Music
Autism, by Allen, R., Hill E., and Heaton P., published in 2009, summarized Feb 19, 2010

Music therapy may be very helpful for adults with autism.

Twelve high-functioning adults with autism were asked about their personal experiences with music. Some of the adults said they liked using music to help change their moods, reduce loneliness, and have a sense of belonging. Some also said they liked performing music. Some of the adults liked the structure and melodies in classical music. And some adults liked the emotional, mood-changing aspects of pop music. The authors said that many people with autism may respond profoundly to music, and that music may be beneficial in many ways.


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Is Your Teen with Autism Ready to Drive?

Jan 16, 2012

A study from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) found that two-thirds of teens with high-functioning autism disorder (HFASD) in PA are driving or are planning to drive. Dr. Patty Huang, a developmental pediatrician, explained that there is not a lot of research explaining how a teen with HFASD might perform as a driver. Because car wrecks are the leading cause of teen deaths, the research hopes to suggest evaluation and appropriate driver training. The researchers surveyed 300 parents of teens and developed a list of characteristics that seemed predictive of teens with HFASD who will drive. CHOP has created a site, teendriversource, for parents and educators.

Read original article: What to Consider When Teen with Autism Want to Drive


Young Woman with Autism Stars, Choreographs, and Directs Musical

Sep 28, 2011

Savannah Damoth, while on stage is a singer, actor, and dancer, but when off-stage she’s more introverted. Savannah has high-functioning autism, but that doesn’t stop her from starring in Urinetown, a musical being produced by Outside the Box Theatre Guild in Michigan. Her mom explains that Savannah’s theatre involvement has “transformed her.” Her cast members are familiar with her “quirkiness” and accept her for her talents. When she choreographs a number, she has fellow actors help her interpret her vision into reality. So far she has participated in Little Shop of Horrors, stars in Urinetown, and will star in Hairspray.

Read original article: Musical Inspiration: Autism Doesn't Stop Fenton High School Junior from Starring, Assistant Directing Play


Art Therapy Helps Boy with Autism Communicate

Apr 18, 2011

Jayln Weston’s verbal communication skills decreased when he was two; he was soon diagnosed with high-functioning autism. His mom said he always enjoyed art and liked to “tell” stories with drawings. She felt he was not getting enough exposure to art in his school, so she connected with VSA arts Tennessee. VSA, formerly Very Special Arts, is a national organization promoting arts for people with disabilities. Jayln started in a class for teenagers with autism and was soon winning awards and exhibiting his art. Jayln's speech increased when he began explaining his artwork. His mom says, “And art gives him something to talk about, and it focuses on something that he is good at."

Read original article: Boy with Autism Communicates Through His Award-Winning Art


Can Virtual Simulation Help Teens on the Autism Spectrum Learn to Drive Better?

Feb 25, 2011

What teenager doesn’t want to drive; but what if the teen has Asperger’s or high-functioning autism? A group of researchers at the University of Virginia led by Ron Reeve are studying whether using virtual reality driving simulators to teach drivers ed will help these students. Reeve explains that there is no legal reason why kids cannot drive, but there may be symptoms that interfere. For example, “they may hyper-focus on one aspect of driving and struggle with the multi-tasking required to simultaneously keep the car in the correct lane, maintain an appropriate distance from the car ahead, attend to a changing stop light or other signal.” His initial study plan is to have 10 students with Asperger’s/high-functioning autism learn to drive using a virtual reality driving simulator and gradually move to regular driving. Ten other students with Asperger’s/high-functioning autism would receive typical training; either parents’ teaching, driver’s ed, or professional driving school. Finally both groups of drivers will be evaluated by instructors who do not know which of the groups the students were in.

Read original article: U.Va. Receives Grant to Study Simulator's Effects on Teen Drivers with Autism


Showing 1-4 of 18 results


Please comment on this autism topic.

Re: NEWS - Improv Workshop Helps Kids with Autism with Their Social Skills

Aug 24, 2011 by Anonymous

Thank you so much for mentioning the Shenanigans class that Jstar conducted recently in the Detroit area. To give a little more insight, Jstar owns his own theater and co-produces the Spontaneous Combustion - Motor City improv festival. He was excited to discover an opportunity to also bring Shenanigans to some new faces in Detroit. It sounds like the kiddos had a wonderful time!

My grandson, diagnosed with Asperger's, is the inspiration for Shenanigans, when, several years ago, I struggled to find a way to help his social growth. After much research, I came across improvisational theatre, saw a good fit for the skills I wanted to target, and couldn't find a similar program here in Atlanta or anywhere. So I decided to develop a program and find someone involved in improv theatre who could get excited about my vision and help me move it forward. I found Jstar and brought him on as my charter instructor in 2009, and he has been an enthusiastic champion for Shenanigans ever since. 

Shenanigans is an applied improv theatre program targeting those with special needs, especially Asperger's, high-functioning autism, and related conditions. We use the process of learning improvisational theatre games and exercises to work on social skills by unveiling the mysteries of human interaction. The main tenet of improv, "Say Yes, and..." teaches our students better adapting skills when the unexpected pops up, and flexibility to deal with those changes and move forward. 

With our growing team of instructors, the Shenanigans program has spread throughout the metro Atlanta area. We are now reaching beyond our home city to bring the Shenanigans-style approach to others who are interested. 

I am always eager to talk more about our wonderful program and the benefits our actors receive from their participation.

Sandy Bruce, Founder & Exec Dir, Shenanigans (www.ShenanigansImprov.com - on Facebook: /ShenanigansImprov)


Responding to catatonia

Mar 26, 2010 by Anonymous

My 17 year old high functioning autistic son had just a ER emergency that we don't understand what happened.  We are reading the book Catatonia in Autism Spectru Disorder which totally expains this but the phycologist perscribed him some phycotic medication.  Who in the uninted stated knows about Autism and catatonia doees anybody know??


Responding to high-functioning autism

Feb 12, 2010 by Anonymous

safe alternatives- BUT WE CANT HAVE EM?

While there is not a cure for Autism, there are safer alternatives to the chemicals we feed our children. I do think the Gov't and Big Pharmas have dropped the ball on this one! Our children are being poisoned, all for the sake of some improvements? Safe, all natural, alternatives to these meds are available, but in most cases are with held due the lack of making profits?


Cannabis is being used SUCCESSFULLY for a very few who have been lucky enough to explore this treatment legally. Cannabis can easily be ingested orally in the form of an edible for children.  Cannabis is a SAFE, ALL NATURAL, Alternative medicine that is making improvements in children with everything from behavioral issues, to feeding issues. They are being treated successfully, and the children are NOT suffering, or dealing with any life long side effects that is being seen in children today. It is NOT FAIR that only a select few get to explore this SAFE ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT, All While MY SON SUFFERS? It doesnt make any sense- Not TODAY, Not in the USA? What is this world coming too when big pharmas and the govt would rather MAKE PROFITS than to find effective treatments and cures?


Please find some compassion, and DO SOME RESEARCH!


MY SON IS STARVING TO DEATH!


Hopeful Mother of 2


teaching emotions

Apr 15, 2009 by Anonymous

My granddaughter is 4 and appears high functioning to me. She doesn't understand emotions. She'll repeat whatever she hears (are you sad? I am sad...) Has anyone have suggestions are helping to teach the differences?


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    • Synonyms for high-functioning autism include: high functioning, high functioning autism, high-functioning
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