Social Difficulties in High Functioning Autism Explained

Key Points:

• High-functioning autism social difficulties can manifest in subtle ways, affecting social interactions, communication, and understanding of social cues.
• Common social challenges for those with high-functioning autism include difficulty with non-verbal communication, challenges in understanding emotions, and misinterpreting social rules.
• ABA therapy can help individuals with high-functioning autism improve social skills and navigate social situations more successfully.

High-functioning autism is often characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and understanding of social norms. While individuals with high-functioning autism may have average or above-average intellectual abilities, they can face significant social difficulties that can affect their relationships, school experiences, and workplace interactions.

In this article, we’ll explore the common social difficulties faced by individuals with high-functioning autism, dive into the reasons behind these challenges, and discuss how Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy can be a powerful tool in supporting social development. We’ll also share some specific strategies for parents and caregivers to help children and adults navigate social situations more confidently.

High-Functioning Autism Social Difficulties: A Closer Look

While every individual with high-functioning autism is unique, there are common patterns when it comes to social difficulties. Let’s explore what these might look like in daily life and why they occur.

Difficulty Understanding Non-Verbal Cues

Non-verbal communication is a huge part of how we interact with others—expressions, gestures, and body language convey meaning in ways that words alone cannot. For people with high-functioning autism, understanding and responding to non-verbal cues can be challenging. This may result in difficulties interpreting facial expressions, tone of voice, and other subtleties in conversations.

For example, a person with high-functioning autism may not recognize when someone is upset based on their facial expression or voice tone. They may also misinterpret sarcasm or humor, taking things literally rather than picking up on the intended emotional context.

Challenges with Empathy

Empathy involves not only understanding how someone else feels but also being able to respond appropriately to those feelings. In high-functioning autism, individuals may struggle with recognizing and processing the emotions of others, which can lead to feelings of social isolation or frustration.

This does not mean they are uncaring; rather, it can be difficult for them to interpret and react to emotions in the same way others might. This can lead to awkward social interactions or misunderstandings.

Misunderstanding Social Norms and Rules

There are unwritten social rules we all follow—when to speak, when to listen, how close to stand to someone, when to interrupt, and when to give personal space. Individuals with high-functioning autism may not always grasp these social rules, which can cause them to appear rude, intrusive, or socially awkward, even if they do not mean to.

For example, a person with high-functioning autism might not understand the social importance of small talk or how to maintain a balanced conversation. They may talk too much about their personal interests without noticing the other person’s level of engagement.

4 Common Social Scenarios and How High-Functioning Autism Impacts Them

The difficulties associated with high-functioning autism don’t just exist in the theoretical—they play out in real-world social situations. Below are common social situations that may be particularly challenging, along with ways in which social difficulties manifest:

At School or Work: Navigating Group Interactions

School and work environments often require collaboration and interaction with peers. For individuals with high-functioning autism, group work can be particularly stressful. Difficulty reading non-verbal cues, understanding social hierarchies, and responding to changes in group dynamics may cause anxiety or frustration. Additionally, difficulty interpreting tone of voice or facial expressions can lead to misunderstandings in these settings.

Family Gatherings: Feeling Left Out or Misunderstood

At family events, people with high-functioning autism may struggle to keep up with ongoing conversations. Since family interactions often rely heavily on shared memories, humor, and emotional nuance, those with social difficulties may find themselves feeling isolated or overwhelmed by the conversation. They may feel left out of family dynamics because they don’t recognize when it’s their turn to speak or misinterpret the emotional tone of a situation.

Making and Maintaining Friendships: Struggles with Peer Interaction

Friendship building requires a delicate balance of understanding emotions, reciprocating conversations, and knowing when to give others personal space. For individuals with high-functioning autism, these steps can be particularly challenging. They may not recognize social cues like when a conversation has ended or when someone wants to change the subject. Additionally, their ability to share personal interests may overshadow others’ need for conversation balance.

Public Social Events: Navigating the Pressure of Social Expectations

In social settings like parties or gatherings, the overwhelming number of people, voices, and social cues can be overwhelming for individuals with high-functioning autism. They may experience sensory overload, leading to discomfort or withdrawal. In addition, interpreting unspoken expectations—such as when to approach someone for a conversation or when to step back—can lead to confusion.

Why Social Difficulties Happen in High-Functioning Autism

The reasons behind social difficulties in high-functioning autism are complex and multi-faceted. These challenges can stem from a combination of sensory processing issues, delayed social development, and difficulties with theory of mind (the ability to understand that others have thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives different from one's own).

How ABA Therapy Can Help with Social Difficulties

ABA therapy is a widely recognized treatment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and it is particularly helpful in addressing the social difficulties associated with high-functioning autism. ABA therapy uses structured interventions to teach and reinforce social skills in a way that is both engaging and effective. Here’s how ABA therapy can specifically address social difficulties:

Targeting Social Skills Development

ABA therapy focuses on teaching specific social skills, such as making eye contact, initiating conversations, and recognizing emotional cues. Through positive reinforcement and repeated practice, individuals with high-functioning autism can learn how to navigate social situations with more confidence.

Creating Structured Social Interactions

In ABA therapy, social interactions are often structured and broken down into manageable steps. For example, a therapist might teach a child how to greet someone, make small talk, and respond appropriately when someone asks a question. These skills are taught systematically so that the individual can generalize them to real-life situations.

Improving Social Awareness

Therapists use various techniques to help individuals with high-functioning autism become more aware of social norms. By reinforcing behaviors that align with appropriate social conduct, individuals can start to understand the nuances of social situations, such as when to stop talking or how to read the room.

Building Confidence in Social Settings

As individuals with high-functioning autism practice social skills in ABA therapy, they gain more confidence. With each success, their self-esteem improves, and they begin to feel more comfortable in social settings. This confidence translates into improved real-world interactions.

ABA Therapy for High-Functioning Autism Social Difficulties

High functioning autism social difficulties can vary greatly from person to person, but they often center around challenges in interpreting social cues, maintaining reciprocal conversations, and understanding social contexts. By focusing on targeted interventions, such as ABA therapy and structured social skills training, individuals with high functioning autism can significantly improve their social abilities and lead more fulfilling social lives.

If you or a loved one is navigating the social challenges of high functioning autism, our ABA therapy services can help. With locations in Indiana and North Carolina, Astra ABA offers personalized, evidence-based therapy to help individuals overcome social difficulties and thrive in their communities. Contact us today to learn how we can help you develop social skills and build lasting, meaningful connections.