| As a therapist, I often refer to High Functioning Autism | | | | bullied, and they have a difficult time clearly |
| and Asperger Syndrome as "Hidden Disabilities". Many | | | | communicating their desires. So, they will often get |
| myths exist about people who have High Functioning | | | | tagged in school as "quirky" or "defiant". |
| Autism or Asperger Syndrome. People will often refer | | | | Another struggle that parents face is that diagnosing |
| to them as "Rain Man", or make comments to them | | | | High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome is |
| such as, "Wow, that is so cool, can he or she count | | | | challenging. The symptoms are very subtle and can |
| cards." This can leave parents in a place of | | | | sometimes only be seen by people who are around |
| frustration...frustration over the hidden challenges | | | | them a lot or by a good clinician who has had a lot of |
| associated with High Functioning Autism and Asperger | | | | experience with High Functioning Autism or Asperger |
| Syndrome. | | | | Syndrome. These two labels are typically diagnosed |
| Little do people know who are not around children with | | | | later in life (over age 5), so parents struggle before |
| High Functioning Autism or Asperger Syndrome that | | | | then in identifying with the challenges their children are |
| there is a hidden disability associated with these two | | | | facing. |
| labels. Many challenges exist with High Functioning | | | | Also, parents have difficulty explaining these two |
| Autism and Asperger Syndrome, challenges that are | | | | diagnoses to others. If you have not been around |
| "hidden" to most people on the street. | | | | children with High Functioning Autism or Asperger |
| Children who have High Functioning Autism or | | | | Syndrome, it is difficult to pick up on the subtle |
| Asperger Syndrome look like typical kids. Looking back, | | | | differences. However, these subtle differences can |
| we can probably all identify with somebody from our | | | | present mountains of challenges for some families. |
| school years that possibly has High Functioning Autism | | | | Lastly, families who have children with High Functioning |
| or Asperger Syndrome. They were probably in our | | | | Autism or Asperger Syndrome do not get the support |
| regular classrooms because they typically have | | | | they need, financially or emotionally. Many state |
| average or above average IQ, however, they were | | | | programs do not cover services for these children |
| the children who had always appeared somewhat | | | | because they do not have "mental retardation". Many |
| "quirky". | | | | people do not know how to emotionally support |
| Kids with High Functioning Autism or Asperger | | | | families with these children because it is such a "hidden |
| Syndrome have many areas of strengths such as | | | | disability". |
| ability to remember things, ability to pay attention to | | | | In summary, High Functioning Autism and Asperger |
| details, and ability to follow rules. Even though they | | | | Syndrome are "hidden disabilities". Families need more |
| have many positive strengths, they also deal with | | | | support and understanding from state programs, |
| issues that are not always apparent to others they | | | | school programs, and community programs. |
| are around. They struggle with social skills, they get | | | | |