High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome: The Challenges

People who have Asperger's Syndrome or High Functioning Autism are able to live independently. They can hold down jobs and even have families of their own. On the other hand, they have challenges that those with Classic Autism or average people will never have. They fall through the cracks and are commonly misunderstood, and they have to work harder to get people to understand why they are how they are and why they do what they do. How can such a thing be so?

One reason that people with High Functioning Autism or Asperger's Syndrome have challenges that others do not is because while they do have problems to deal with that are lifelong and that can affect quality of life if not managed properly, they still can function like everyone else, living independently, as well as being very intelligent. Because they are not lower functioning or do not appear mentally challenged, they are misunderstood. Rather than being thought to have issues that need understanding, there are either thought to be weird or eccentric. Some go so far as to think that there is no way possible for them to have anything wrong with them because they are intelligent, not mentally challenged, and can function well on their own, and some of these individuals even go as far as to believing that people with High Functioning Autism or Asperger's Syndrome fake their condition so they can gain extra attention. This is not true because while they are not mentally challenged, there are lifelong difficulties that will arise, and so long as these are misunderstood, they will always have trouble. If individuals with High Functioning Autism or Asperger's Syndrome are living in an understanding and supportive environment, they will fare better, as they will enjoy an increased quality of life, and this challenge will be eliminated, which is good for them as this is one less challenge that they will have to deal with on top of the sensory overload and other problems that befall them.

The other chief reason that people with High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome have challenges is because it is difficult for them to communicate everything that they feel. While they may be good at communicating in some areas, it is important to understand that others will lack. Because of this, patience is a necessity. Furthermore, they will need help in support so they will be able to master the areas of communication that are a problem. Friends can help with them by giving them ideas that may help them overcome the hurdles that come about in such situations.

While people with High Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome have a number of challenges, they can be helped through being supportive and understanding. Should you run into an individual with High Functioning Autism or Asperger's Syndrome, understand that they cannot help what they do, and be a friend and lovingly help them work through the trials and challenges that will come their way because there will be many.