Open AccessWhat is ‘high-functioning’ in high-functioning autism?
Author(s) -
Guo Hui Xie
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
asian journal of interdisciplinary research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2581-8430
DOI - 10.34256/ajir2042
Subject(s) - high functioning autism , autism , psychology , diagnostic test , special education , developmental psychology , clinical psychology , medicine , pediatrics , autism spectrum disorder , mathematics education
In several diagnostic manuals of disabilities and disorders, High-Functioning Autism (HFA) is omitted and/or remains an unofficial diagnostic term. However, in 2007, the American Academy of Special Education Professionals has given it an official diagnostic code AU-4.00 in its Educator’s Diagnostic Manual of Disabilities and Disorders (EDM). This has rekindled research to re-look at HFA if it deserves to be given its own diagnostic code. Today, HFA refers to autistics who possess average/above-average intelligence and function in typical settings. This paper explores what ‘high-functioning’ is in the enigmatic condition of HFA.