| Though autistic disorder is often thought of as a | | | | four for an unknown reason, though it is |
| single condition, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in | | | | suspected that it may be brought about by illness |
| fact refers to five different kinds of autism. | | | | or types of surgery. This hypothesis has yet to |
| When most people think about autism, they're | | | | be proven. |
| only thinking about one type - the kind they saw | | | | The fourth form of autistic disorder is Asperger's |
| in the movie Rainman - and don't realize that this | | | | Syndrome. It is easy to misdiagnose children with |
| is only a fifth of the disorders to which autism | | | | this disorder as they generally have better social |
| truly refers. | | | | and communication skills than other autistic |
| The first type of autism is called Classic Autism. | | | | children, but they still face limitations. It typically |
| It's also known as Kanner's autism, or Kanner's | | | | isn't until these children begin school that these |
| disorder after a doctor who researched the | | | | limitations start to become obvious. Children with |
| condition in the 1930s through the 1940s. Classic | | | | Asperger's often do very well with behavioral |
| autism is one of the lower functioning forms in | | | | treatments and are able to exist quite well within |
| the spectrum, and is identified by its high level of | | | | a normal lifestyle when they begin these therapies |
| social and communication issues. Children with the | | | | as early as possible. |
| classic autistic disorder rarely interact with the | | | | The last form of autistic disorder is also the most |
| majority of people. They often suffer from poor | | | | vague. It is called PDD-NOS (Pervasive |
| motor skills and frequently repeat actions and | | | | Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise |
| motions. They are also generally reluctant to | | | | Specified) and is the diagnosis given to children |
| make eye contact and may display temper | | | | who are believed to have autism but whose |
| tantrums when they experience a change in their | | | | condition does not fit the typical definition of the |
| usual routine or environment. Though some | | | | other four types of autistic disorder. These |
| individuals with classic autism are completely | | | | children may have some symptoms that match |
| verbal, many struggle to communicate through | | | | some of the autism forms, but do not have a |
| speech, and others cannot speak at all. | | | | specific kind of autism that can be diagnosed. |
| The second form of autism is referred to as | | | | Part of the understanding of autism comes along |
| Rett's Syndrome. This type off autistic disorder is | | | | with the knowledge of where the disorder may |
| another low-functioning one. Rett's is exclusive to | | | | have come from and what can worsen the |
| females and often occurs in conjunction with | | | | symptoms. There are many different theories, |
| mental retardation. Rett's girls are typically | | | | including the impact that allergies can have on an |
| impaired in their movements and will rarely | | | | autistic child. |
| communicate verbally. Studies have concluded | | | | For some autistic people and relatives of those on |
| that Rett's is passed on genetically, though no | | | | the spectrum the autism disorder classifications |
| hypothesis has yet to be proven regarding the | | | | are two broad and there is a belief that effective |
| reason that it occurs only in girls when all other | | | | treatments are unlikely to be discovered until the |
| types of autism occur in boys 75 percent of the | | | | spectrum is broken down further. A common |
| time. | | | | phrase within the autism arena goes like |
| The third kind of autistic disorder is Childhood | | | | this...'when you've met one person with autism, |
| Disintegrative Disorder. Children with this form of | | | | you've met one person with autism'. This phrase |
| autism often develop normally, or are diagnosed | | | | highlights the diversity of symptoms and abilities |
| with Classic Autism or Rett's Syndrome. | | | | of people grouped together under the spectrum |
| However, the diagnosis changes with the speech | | | | umbrella and confirms the complexity of this |
| and motor skill problems that accelerate. | | | | disorder. |
| Regression occurs between the ages of two and | | | | |