Understanding high-functioning autism. Asperger syndrome refers to a sub-category of the autism spectrum which is no longer diagnosed, having been merged into autism spectrum disorder (ASD). High-functioning autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant difficulties in communication, emotion recognition and expression, and social interactions.
High-functioning autism is distinguished by a pattern of symptoms rather than a single symptom. It is characterized by qualitative impairment in social interaction, by stereotyped and restricted patterns of behavior, activities, and interests, and by no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or general delay in language. Intense preoccupation with a narrow subject, once sided verbosity, restricted prosody, and physical clumsiness are typical of the condition, but are not required for diagnosis.
High-functioning autism is distinguished by a pattern of symptoms rather than a single symptom. It is characterized by qualitative impairment in social interaction, by stereotyped and restricted patterns of behavior, activities, and interests, and by no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or general delay in language. Intense preoccupation with a narrow subject, once sided verbosity, restricted prosody, and physical clumsiness are typical of the condition, but are not required for diagnosis.
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Sex, Relationships and Autism. A lack of demonstrated empathy affects aspects of communal living for people with high-functioning autism. Individual with high-functioning autism may experience failure to develop friendships or to seek shared enjoyments or achievements with others; a lack of social or emotional reciprocity; and impaired nonverbal behaviors in areas such as eye contact, facial expression, posture, and gesture. How do these impairments affect physical or emotional connection? People with high-functioning autism may be completely unaware of the subtle gestures or touches that are essential in seduction and flirtatious play to initiate or continue physical connections. Physical clumsiness may make physical connection and sex appear robotic and rigid. Thus, affecting the way their/your partner experiences sex.
People with high-functioning autism may engage in one-sided, long-winded speech about a favorite topic, while misunderstand or not recognizing the listener’s feelings or reactions such as a wish to change the topic or talk or end the interaction. How do these impairments affect physical or emotional connection? Such impairments to react appropriately may appear as disregard for their/your partner’s feelings and may come across as rude or insensitive. With time these negative interactions create emotional distancing in the relationship and may become a barrier to emotional and physical connection.
Individuals with high-functioning autism may be sensitive or insensitive to sound, light, and other stimuli. How do these impairments affect physical or emotional connection? These sensory responses may affect the way a person with autism will interact with an intimate partner. Sensory responses may encourage or discourage physical connection with an intimate partner. Sensory responses may affect or restrict sexual preferences for people with high-functioning autism.
Treatment for individuals with high-functioning autism can include recognizing subtle gestures to initiate or maintain emotional connection with partner; the understanding and coaching of empathy, perspective taking, emotional reciprocity, and conflict resolution; and the recognition of how and when to experience a pleasurable experience with your partner.
People with high-functioning autism may engage in one-sided, long-winded speech about a favorite topic, while misunderstand or not recognizing the listener’s feelings or reactions such as a wish to change the topic or talk or end the interaction. How do these impairments affect physical or emotional connection? Such impairments to react appropriately may appear as disregard for their/your partner’s feelings and may come across as rude or insensitive. With time these negative interactions create emotional distancing in the relationship and may become a barrier to emotional and physical connection.
Individuals with high-functioning autism may be sensitive or insensitive to sound, light, and other stimuli. How do these impairments affect physical or emotional connection? These sensory responses may affect the way a person with autism will interact with an intimate partner. Sensory responses may encourage or discourage physical connection with an intimate partner. Sensory responses may affect or restrict sexual preferences for people with high-functioning autism.
Treatment for individuals with high-functioning autism can include recognizing subtle gestures to initiate or maintain emotional connection with partner; the understanding and coaching of empathy, perspective taking, emotional reciprocity, and conflict resolution; and the recognition of how and when to experience a pleasurable experience with your partner.
