BEFORE WE DELVE INTO THIS ARTICLE, LET’S NOTE THAT ASPERGER’S IS NO LONGER RECOGNIZED AS A DIAGNOSTIC TERM, WHILE “HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM (HFA)” IS REGARDED BY SOME AS AN OFFENSIVE TERM. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTENT, WE’RE USING HFA TO DESCRIBE THOSE ON THE SPECTRUM WITHOUT INTELLECTU- AL IMPAIRMENTS, WHILE WE FOCUS ON AN EMOTION SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLE WITH—ANGER.

By Sharon LONGO, BA

Many individuals with autism spectrum disorder face challenges that can lead to frustration and anger, but is there a link between so-called “high functioning” or “mild autism” and anger or aggression? If so, how can parents help teach their child to regulate those angry emotions and manage them in daily life?

Firstly, what is “high functioning” autism?

As mentioned above, the term high functioning autism (HFA) isn’t liked by some in the autism community. It has a lot of the same characteristics as asperger’s, although HFA isn’t a diagnosis or a medical terminology. In a general sense, it refers to people who are on the spectrum and are able to handle daily skills such as eating and dressing, while also being able to read, write, and speak. Many of these individuals struggle with social skills rather than daily functioning.

Once the American Psychiatric Association combined all of the disorders relating to autism under one umbrella term called autism spectrum disorder(ASD), the term asperger’s disappeared as an official diagnosis, although many in the autism community still use it..

What causes anger in “high functioning” autistic individuals?

Many people with ASD experience social struggles, for example: challenges conversing back and forth with others, or difficulty joining a conversation, they may also have trouble understanding others’ viewpoints or emotions, and/or expressing their own emotions. This can lead to being on the outskirts of social gatherings. Other social complications include challenges with being accepted, and having reciprocated friendships with peers.

“Many people with ASD experience social struggles, for example: challenges conversing back and forth with others, or difficulty joining a conversation, they may also have trouble understanding others’ viewpoints or emotions, and/or expressing their own emotions.”