| Different Types Of Autism | | | | after a child has appeared to develop quite |
| You may hear autism referred to as a PDD. This | | | | normally. They have the usual range of speech |
| stands for Pervasive Development Disorder, and | | | | and motor skills for their peer group. Then at |
| is a blanket term for the many different autism | | | | some point, usually between ages two and four, |
| types. | | | | they regress into a severe form of autistic |
| When talking about autism most people think of | | | | disability. No one is sure why this happens though |
| an autistic child in the classic sense, but that is | | | | some believe surgery or illness can bring it on. |
| only one of the types that are used to diagnose | | | | That is not true for all of these children, however, |
| children with this condition in today's world. | | | | so nothing concrete has been proven. |
| Though the film Rainman is probably the most | | | | The higher functioning form of autism is known as |
| well-known source that most people base their | | | | Asperger's. These children can often be |
| understanding on, there is more to this condition | | | | misdiagnosed in the early years. They have better |
| than what was depicted in the movie. Some | | | | communication and socialization skills, but they are |
| children are very similar to Dustin Hoffman's | | | | still somewhat limited. However, many of these |
| character, but there are many more different | | | | children aren't diagnosed until they are in school |
| autism types and levels of function known today. | | | | when the difference their peers and themselves |
| The Rainman type of autism, or classic autism, is | | | | become more apparent. They often respond well |
| otherwise known as Kanner's, and was named for | | | | to behavioral treatments, and can have a very |
| the doctor who studied it in the 30s and 40s. This | | | | 'normal' life if they are put through these |
| is a lower functioning type of autism characterized | | | | programs and therapies at the earliest possible |
| by severe communication and socialization | | | | age. |
| problems. These children are hard to reach, and | | | | There is another type of autism called PDD-NOS. |
| do not interact with most people. They can be | | | | This is when a child is thought to have autism, but |
| clumsy due to poor motor skills, and are prone to | | | | their condition does not seem to be associated |
| repetitive motions and actions. They might have | | | | with the other four more definite types. They |
| tantrums when the smallest changes in their | | | | have autism, but they seem to fall out of each |
| environment or schedule are made. Some do not | | | | category. They may have symptoms or |
| speak, and others speak on a limited basis. | | | | behaviors that fall within all of the other different |
| Rett's Syndrome is also one of the | | | | autism types, but do not fit one type exclusively. |
| lower-functioning types of autism. This happens in | | | | Most children with any of these five autism types |
| girls only for some reason, and is often paired | | | | will be diagnosed before the age of five, and the |
| with mental retardation. These girls are greatly | | | | prognosis will depend on the function of the child, |
| impaired when it comes to movements, and they | | | | and how early they can begin to go through |
| rarely speak. This autism type has been classified | | | | therapies. |
| as a genetic defect. There seems to be no | | | | There is no cure for autism, and because the |
| explanation as to why it only affects girls. All | | | | reasons why some children develop this condition |
| other types are attributed to males 75% of the | | | | are so unclear, there is no way parents can |
| time. Different Types Of Autism | | | | prevent it from happening. More research is |
| Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is something that | | | | needed to find the origins of the condition. Once |
| is very shocking for parents, perhaps even more | | | | that can be found, perhaps a cure or more |
| so than children who are identified early with | | | | effective treatments can be administered, tailored |
| Rett's or Kanner's. This is something that happens | | | | to the different types of autism. |