TYPES OF AUTISM
This section of the website contains information about the different types of autism - also known as autism spectrum conditions, autism spectrum disorders, ASDs or pervasive developmental disorders.
There are four main sub-types of autism recognised within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, published by the American Psychiatric Association.
However the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5, published in May 2013 eliminated the four sub-types listed above by dissolving them into one diagnosis called Autism Spectrum Disorder. According to the APA, this represents an effort to more accurately diagnose all individuals showing the signs of autism.
At present, the term ‘autism’ is sometimes used interchangeably with the term ‘autism spectrum disorders’ to mean any or all of the different forms of ASD. It is also sometimes used interchangeably with the term ‘autistic disorder’.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder is a term used to include and replace all subtypes of autism, including autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder (not otherwise specified).
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 2013, defines autism spectrum disorder as follows:
A. persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays
B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities
C. Symptoms must be present in early childhood (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities)
D. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning.
There are four main sub-types of autism recognised within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, published by the American Psychiatric Association.
- Autistic Disorder, also known as autism, childhood autism, early infantile autism, Kanner’s syndrome or infantile psychosis.
- Asperger Syndrome, also known as Asperger’s disorder or simply Asperger’s.
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, also known as CDD, dementia infantalis, disintegrative psychosis or Heller’s syndrome.
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Not Otherwise Specified), also known as PDD (NOS) or atypical autism.
However the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5, published in May 2013 eliminated the four sub-types listed above by dissolving them into one diagnosis called Autism Spectrum Disorder. According to the APA, this represents an effort to more accurately diagnose all individuals showing the signs of autism.
At present, the term ‘autism’ is sometimes used interchangeably with the term ‘autism spectrum disorders’ to mean any or all of the different forms of ASD. It is also sometimes used interchangeably with the term ‘autistic disorder’.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder is a term used to include and replace all subtypes of autism, including autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder (not otherwise specified).
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 2013, defines autism spectrum disorder as follows:
A. persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays
B. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities
C. Symptoms must be present in early childhood (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities)
D. Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning.
Autistic Disorder (Autism)
Autistic disorder is a form of autism. It is also known as autism, childhood autism, early infantile autism, Kanner’s syndrome or infantile psychosis.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 2013, eliminates autistic disorder as a formal diagnosis by dissolving it and other subtypes of autism into one diagnosis called autism spectrum disorder.
The 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, published in 2010, states that ‘childhood autism’ is
‘A type of pervasive developmental disorder that is defined by: (a) the presence of abnormal or impaired development that is manifest before the age of three years, and (b) the characteristic type of abnormal functioning in all the three areas of psychopathology: reciprocal social interaction, communication, and restricted, stereotyped, repetitive behaviour. In addition to these specific diagnostic features, a range of other nonspecific problems are common, such as phobias, sleeping and eating disturbances, temper tantrums, and (self-directed) aggression.’
Asperger Syndrome
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism characterised by normal or above average intelligence.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 2013, eliminates Asperger syndrome as a formal diagnosis by dissolving it and other subtypes of autism into one diagnosis called autism spectrum disorder.
The 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, published in 2010, states that Asperger syndrome is
‘A disorder of uncertain nosological validity, characterized by the same type of qualitative abnormalities of reciprocal social interaction that typify autism, together with a restricted, stereotyped, repetitive repertoire of interests and activities. It differs from autism primarily in the fact that there is no general delay or retardation in language or in cognitive development. This disorder is often associated with marked clumsiness. There is a strong tendency for the abnormalities to persist into adolescence and adult life. Psychotic episodes occasionally occur in early adult life.’
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Not Otherwise Specified)
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Not Otherwise Specified) is a form of autism. It is also known as PDD(NOS) or atypical autism.
PDD(NOS) is used to describe people who don’t fit neatly into one of the specific kinds of autism, such as autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome or childhood disintegrative disorder.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 2013, eliminates PDD(N)S) as a formal diagnosis by dissolving it and other subtypes of autism into one diagnosis called autism spectrum disorder.
The 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, published in 2010, states that 'atypical autism’ is
‘A type of pervasive developmental disorder that differs from childhood autism either in age of onset or in failing to fulfil all three sets of diagnostic criteria. This subcategory should be used when there is abnormal and impaired development that is present only after age three years, and a lack of sufficient demonstrable abnormalities in one or two of the three areas of psychopathology required for the diagnosis of autism (namely, reciprocal social interactions, communication, and restricted, stereotyped, repetitive behaviour) in spite of characteristic abnormalities in the other area(s). Atypical autism arises most often in profoundly retarded individuals and in individuals with a severe specific developmental disorder of receptive language.’
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is an extremely rare form of autism. It is also known as CDD, dementia infantalis, disintegrative psychosis or Heller’s syndrome
Children with CDD appear to develop normally until the age of two. After that they go backwards, losing many of the skills they had before, such as the ability to walk or talk.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 2013, eliminates childhood disintegrative disorder as a formal diagnosis by dissolving it and other subtypes of autism into one diagnosis called autism spectrum disorder.
The 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, published in 2010, states that ‘other childhood disintegrative disorder’ is
‘A type of pervasive developmental disorder that is defined by a period of entirely normal development before the onset of the disorder, followed by a definite loss of previously acquired skills in several areas of development over the course of a few months. Typically, this is accompanied by a general loss of interest in the environment, by stereotyped, repetitive motor mannerisms, and by autistic-like abnormalities in social interaction and communication. In some cases the disorder can be shown to be due to some associated encephalopathy but the diagnosis should be made on the behavioural features.’
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 2013, eliminates autistic disorder as a formal diagnosis by dissolving it and other subtypes of autism into one diagnosis called autism spectrum disorder.
The 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, published in 2010, states that ‘childhood autism’ is
‘A type of pervasive developmental disorder that is defined by: (a) the presence of abnormal or impaired development that is manifest before the age of three years, and (b) the characteristic type of abnormal functioning in all the three areas of psychopathology: reciprocal social interaction, communication, and restricted, stereotyped, repetitive behaviour. In addition to these specific diagnostic features, a range of other nonspecific problems are common, such as phobias, sleeping and eating disturbances, temper tantrums, and (self-directed) aggression.’
Asperger Syndrome
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism characterised by normal or above average intelligence.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 2013, eliminates Asperger syndrome as a formal diagnosis by dissolving it and other subtypes of autism into one diagnosis called autism spectrum disorder.
The 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, published in 2010, states that Asperger syndrome is
‘A disorder of uncertain nosological validity, characterized by the same type of qualitative abnormalities of reciprocal social interaction that typify autism, together with a restricted, stereotyped, repetitive repertoire of interests and activities. It differs from autism primarily in the fact that there is no general delay or retardation in language or in cognitive development. This disorder is often associated with marked clumsiness. There is a strong tendency for the abnormalities to persist into adolescence and adult life. Psychotic episodes occasionally occur in early adult life.’
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Not Otherwise Specified)
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Not Otherwise Specified) is a form of autism. It is also known as PDD(NOS) or atypical autism.
PDD(NOS) is used to describe people who don’t fit neatly into one of the specific kinds of autism, such as autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome or childhood disintegrative disorder.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 2013, eliminates PDD(N)S) as a formal diagnosis by dissolving it and other subtypes of autism into one diagnosis called autism spectrum disorder.
The 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, published in 2010, states that 'atypical autism’ is
‘A type of pervasive developmental disorder that differs from childhood autism either in age of onset or in failing to fulfil all three sets of diagnostic criteria. This subcategory should be used when there is abnormal and impaired development that is present only after age three years, and a lack of sufficient demonstrable abnormalities in one or two of the three areas of psychopathology required for the diagnosis of autism (namely, reciprocal social interactions, communication, and restricted, stereotyped, repetitive behaviour) in spite of characteristic abnormalities in the other area(s). Atypical autism arises most often in profoundly retarded individuals and in individuals with a severe specific developmental disorder of receptive language.’
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is an extremely rare form of autism. It is also known as CDD, dementia infantalis, disintegrative psychosis or Heller’s syndrome
Children with CDD appear to develop normally until the age of two. After that they go backwards, losing many of the skills they had before, such as the ability to walk or talk.
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published in 2013, eliminates childhood disintegrative disorder as a formal diagnosis by dissolving it and other subtypes of autism into one diagnosis called autism spectrum disorder.
The 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, published in 2010, states that ‘other childhood disintegrative disorder’ is
‘A type of pervasive developmental disorder that is defined by a period of entirely normal development before the onset of the disorder, followed by a definite loss of previously acquired skills in several areas of development over the course of a few months. Typically, this is accompanied by a general loss of interest in the environment, by stereotyped, repetitive motor mannerisms, and by autistic-like abnormalities in social interaction and communication. In some cases the disorder can be shown to be due to some associated encephalopathy but the diagnosis should be made on the behavioural features.’