Types of Autism: Autism is a neurological disorder. Its symptoms begin to appear in childhood. Autism also affects the mental development of children. Autistic children have difficulty interacting with people, which hinders the development of their social skills. Children affected by autism may not respond to sounds or engage in certain activities. To improve behavior and provide better opportunities for children and adults with autism, Autism Pride Day is celebrated worldwide on June 18th every year. Symptoms and behavioral difficulties vary among all children affected by autism. Autism has been divided into four types based on its symptoms and behavioral issues. Let’s find out what kind of difficulties are observed in different types of autism…
Asperger’s Syndrome:
Asperger’s syndrome is considered the mildest form of autism. It is characterized by mild social and behavioral problems. Their intelligence quotient (IQ) is often above average. They may have a high interest in specific subjects. They face minimal difficulties in symbolic development and language learning.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder:
Pervasive developmental disorder is the most common type of autism. In this type, the symptoms of autism are relatively mild. Individuals with pervasive developmental disorder may experience some difficulties in social interaction and communication, but they do not exhibit severe autistic symptoms.
Autistic Disorder or Classic Autism:
Autistic disorder is also referred to as classic autism. It displays more severe symptoms compared to other types of autism. Individuals with this disorder face greater challenges in social behavior and communication with others. They may also exhibit interests in unusual objects, engage in repetitive behaviors, experience speech delays or stammering. In some cases, there may be intellectual disabilities as well.
Individuals affected by different types of autism often have smaller brain size, difficulties in motor skills, and imbalanced physical development. They may have twisted hands, breathing difficulties, and even epilepsy.
Diagnosing Autism:
Diagnosing autism in children is typically done between the ages of two to three, although it can be identified as early as 18 months. Generally, the diagnosis of autism is based on observing and evaluating children’s behavior. The truth is that autism cannot be diagnosed through a single medical test. However, tests like the Fragile X syndrome can help identify symptoms similar to autism. In recent years, awareness of this condition has increased, and the tools for diagnosis have improved, leading to a significant increase in the detection rate of autism cases.
