Types of Autism – The Different Types of Autism

Article by Caleb Liu

There are five distinct types of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) that are considered to be related to Autism because of the neuro development portions that have been identified under the Autism Spectrum. They are Autism Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, Rett’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDDNOS).

Each of the five disorders are classified as pervasive in nature rather than Specific Development Disorders (SDD) because they are characterized by multiple disabilities in a variety of areas rather than focused on one particular issue. Let’s take a brief look at each of the five types of Autism on an individual level. While many of the characteristics may be similar, the differences are distinct enough for them to fall under different categories.

Classic Autism, commonly called Autism, is also sometimes called Kanner’s Syndrome after the Psychiatrist Leo Kanner. He studied 11 children at John Hopkins University from 1932 to 1943. He wrote about the common elements found in these children including a lack of emotion, repetitive actions, and problems with their speech formation, their ability to manipulate various objects, learning difficulties, and their levels of intelligence. His studies lead to many others wanting to learn more about the disorder.

Asperger’s Syndrome is named after its founder, Hans Asperger. His studies took place in Vienna in 1944. He discovered many individuals had the problems with social skills and repetitive patterns but they did not have trouble with learning or their cognitive abilities. They also portrayed some very exceptional talents or abilities that were considered to be very remarkable. Albert Einstein is a very famous individual who had Asperger’s Syndrome.

Dr. Andrease Rett documented what is known As Rett’s Syndrome while in Australia in 1965. This is classified as a neuro developmental degenerative disorder. It only affects girls and the degeneration results in them being completely dependent on others for all of their needs. They have some of the symptoms of Autism but they also suffer from muscle lose. Girls with Rett’s Syndrome often have very small hands and feet.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) is also called Heller’s Syndrome after the teacher Theodore Heller. He first described the disorder in 1908. The characteristics include the child having a normal pattern of development but then has a regression of skill as they get older.

Any type of neuro disability that doesn’t fall into the above categories is classified as PDDNOS. While individuals in this particular category experience very mild symptoms they suffer greatly in the area of social interactions. The proper diagnosis is necessary so that the proper therapies and techniques can be properly introduced.

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If you found this information on Types Of Autism useful, you’ll also want to read about Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Types Of Autism Examined

Article by Barisa Wyse

If you happen to direct the question “What kinds of autism are there?” towards a person who doesn’t have autism or is not dealing with an autistic person you’ll more than likely get a puzzled expression or perhaps a shrug. Most people incorrectly suppose that all autism conditions are the same. This is not true and in this article we are going to study (1) the types of autism and (2) some of the basic characteristics of each.

The term “autism” is really a generalized word which falls within a larger medical category oftentimes called “the 5 Pervasive Development Disorders”. Autism is the commonest kind of development disorder and can appear in a variety of forms and severity of condition. This has led to the term “Autism Spectrum Disorder” that is often used to spot and talk about the different sorts of autism. What this means is that someone recognized as having autism can have one of several various kinds of autism that have features that are comparable in some respects and dissimilar in others.

Within the Autism Spectrum Disorder there exists 4 subcategories of autism which are Asperger Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified or “PDD-NOS”. Since each of these are kinds of autism they all share some common autism features. It’s widely acknowledged that autism is related to the brain or what some are now calling “mindblindness”. At some point between birth and the first two-and-a-half years of age there’s a serious development problem within the brain that stops parts of the brain from working as one. As the child gets older they find it more and more difficult to communicate and connect to others around them in what we regard as a normal and socially acceptable manner. Depending on how bad the brain disorder was early on in life will determine how serious the type of autism is when the child gets older.

So what we’ve discussed up to now has informed us that all types of autism are linked to a disorder within the brain. Now we will examine how each of the types of autism are different.

1. Asperger Syndrome (AS)- indicated by impaired language and communication skills- restrictive patterns in the way the individual behaves and thinks

Children with Asperger Syndrome frequently exhibit very obsessive behavior towards a particular theme or topic and refuse to concentrate on anything else. This makes it very tough for them to mingle with others, especially their peer group and they find it hard to speak and interact normally. Also very common is delayed learning when it comes to motor skills like riding a bike, being able to catch a ball or even climbing on playground equipment. The child is often thought of as being clumsy and inept.

2. Rett Syndrome- symptoms are often seen earlier on in a child’s life than other types of autism- usually is found only in girls and suddenly begins to surface some six to eighteen months after a normal baby development pattern

A baby with Rett Syndrome exhibits a slow down or oftentimes even a loss of customary development skills that were already developed before Rett Syndrome. Additional signs of this infant condition may include problems learning to walk, increased delay in learning basic motor skills and often there’s a lessening in head growth rate.

3. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)- less common kind of autism- manifests later than other types of autism, not until around age 3 or 4- frequently a dramatic loss of social, communication and other types of skills

A child afflicted with CDD usually has exhibited regular development well beyond that stage where other types of autism might become evident. Everything seems fine, until unexpectedly around the ages of three or 4 the child very quickly begins to have difficulty communicating normally, doing social activities with others and begins to fall behind in normal skill development for his or her age group. In especially severe cases this may even result in mental retardation.

4. Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)- generally the mildest type of autism and is typically diagnosed around 4 years old- main characteristics are difficulties with social interaction and communication

A child with PDD-NOS enjoys the company of other people but has a difficult time reacting appropriately and making authentic associations with their friends. For instance they find it difficult to relate to the emotions of others, and as such would not understand the way to appriopriately react if someone is laughing or crying. Areas of trouble with respect to communicating with other people include a limited vocabulary, repetitive language, narrow interests and poor nonverbal communication.

As you are able to see the definition of autism isn’t so simple as many individuals presume it to be. Differing autism features have given rise to a number of different types of autism that will impinge on children and adults in a wide range of ways, frequently depending upon how severe the abnormal condition is for that person.

It is extremely important to understand that the above facts about autism, together with the types of autism discussed, are just general guidelines and are in no way intended to be a medical diagnosis. If you believe that your youngster might have autism, then please inquire about medical advice from a physician.

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Take action now to find out more about what is autism disorder and learn to help your child and yourself as a concerned parent or an adult dealing with autism. Visit our website now to learn more about the types of autism and much more. Articles on autism, videos and links to other resources including books on autism. Let us help you as we have already helped hundreds of other concerned parents with autistic children as well as adults with autism.

There are many different types of autism, including Asperger’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder. Discover what the symptoms and behavior of various degrees of autism are withhelp from a practicing pediatrician in this free video on pediatrics and autism. Expert: David Hill Contact: www.capefearpediatrics.com Bio: Dr. David Hill is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and vice president of Cape Fear Pediatrics in Wilmington, NC Filmmaker: Reel Media LLC
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Types Of Autism – There Are 5 Different Types of Autism Disorders

Types Of Autism

Autism is a complex developmental disability amongst many distinct values of severity. Technically, there is one diagnosis that is Autism. People do but then refer to the Pervasive Developmental Disorders as disorders on the Autism spectrum or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Autism Spectrum Disorders are developmental brain disorders that cause impaired social interaction, concerns amongst verbal and nonverbal communication, and unusual, repetitive, or majorly limited activities and interests. Autism is just one of uni different sorts of Autism disorders. Below are definitions and characteristics of the five different autism disorders.

Classic Autism: Autism is the second leading childhood developmental disorder and is considered the most severe of the different types of Autism disorders. People with Classic Autism develop language late, or not at all. People affected with Classic Autism have difficulties talking with other people or a profound lack of affection or emotional contact with others, an intense wish for sameness in routines, muteness or abnormality of speech, high levels of Visio-spatial skills, but major learning difficulties in other areas. Symptoms of autism usually appear during the first three years of childhood and continue throughout life. Autism is a spectrum disorder because the severity of impairment in each of these areas differs in each individual.

Aspergers Syndrome: A Person with Aspergers Syndrome can exhibit a variety of characteristics and the disorder can range from mild to severe. Children show deficiencies in social skill and have difficulties with transitions or changes. They compulsively cling to rituals and any changes in their routine can upset them. They have a great difficulty reading body language and determining proper body space. Some children with Aspergers Syndrome have reduced sensitivity to pain and an increased sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises.

With this type of Autism disorders they also have average or above-average intelligence. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder: Childhood Disintegrative Disorder includes severe regression in communication skills, social behavior, and all developmental motor skills. At the beginning these children seem perfectly normal. They start to regress at between ages 2-4 years. At that time these children stop socializing, lose potty-training skills, stop playing, lose motor skills and stop making friends. Types Of Autism

Rett Syndrome: Rett syndrome is a neurological and developmental disorder that mostly occurs in females and is marked by poor head growth. Loss of muscle tone is usually the first symptom. Other early symptoms may include problems crawling or walking and diminished eye contact. They stop using their hands to do things and often develop stereotyped hand movements, such as wringing, clapping, or patting their hands.

The inability to perform motor functions is perhaps the most severely disabling feature of Rett syndrome, interfering with every body movement, including eye gaze and speech. Infants with Rett syndrome seem to grow and develop normally at first, but then stop developing and even lose skills and abilities. Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified: This tends to describe people who have many or all of the different types of Autism disorders.

Children with PDDNOS either do not fully meet the criteria of symptoms used to diagnose any of the four specific types above, and/or do not have the degree of impairment described in any of the above four specific types. Don’t let your child suffer anymore! Lead your child out of his world through Types Of Autism program now!

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