Lisa Barrett Mann, M.S.Ed. 

What is High-Functioning Autism?

"High-Functioning Autism" is a term used to refer to Autistic Disorder without symptoms of mental retardation (i.e., with an IQ of 70 or above), although some people still use it to refer to any individuals with autism who have basic verbal abilities.

There is significant debate as to whether Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism are actually different disorders. Researchers who believe they are say that children with HFA (as compared to those with AS) are more likely to:

• Experience significant speech delays
• Be “aloof” (having little interest in interacting with other people)
• Engage in repetitive behaviors or be interested in parts of objects (as opposed to gathering facts about a special interest, as in AS)
• Engage in echolalia (repeating words or phrases said to them)
• Have better nonverbal abilities than verbal ones
• Have strong motor skills