| Autism used to be the term used for anyone | | | | communication skills. |
| with that particular condition. Today, there | | | | |
| are several different sub categories for | | | | Pervasive Developmental Disorder--Not |
| different levels of disability or function. | | | | Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). |
| No two children diagnosed will be the same, | | | | |
| but there will be many things that they do | | | | This term is used to describe children who |
| have in common. With some high functioning | | | | have most of the same symptoms as classic |
| autistics most people may not even be aware | | | | autism. They will need the same |
| that they have autism, while others need | | | | interventions and help that autistic children |
| assistance in almost any part of life, and | | | | require. The differences between PDD-NOS and |
| they are obviously living a very different | | | | autism are minor and usually only obvious to |
| life than other children. More is being | | | | researchers and doctors. |
| discovered about each of these different | | | | |
| autism types as time goes on. | | | | Rett's Syndrome |
| | | | |
| Asperger's Disorder | | | | Rett's is a rare and relatively little-known |
| | | | type of autism, and it seems to only happen |
| This type of autism is something that you | | | | in girls. This branch of autism was first |
| hear more and more about. These children are | | | | described by Dr. Rett. These patients often |
| often misdiagnosed at first, and are thought | | | | have problems with muscle atrophy, and tend |
| to have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or | | | | to do repetitive hand motions. They area |
| perhaps Attention Deficit Disorder. These | | | | almost always mentally retarded to some |
| children are very unskilled with social | | | | degree. These girls are very low functioning |
| interactions and have problems with | | | | and will need care for most of their lives. |
| communicating. They have repetitive motions, | | | | This particular type of autism has been |
| and are fixated on patterns of all types. | | | | diagnosed since the sixties, but in the late |
| They can have above average language skills, | | | | 1990s a gene that might cause this condition |
| though they don't use them well in social | | | | was found. |
| situations. They are often clumsy, as motor | | | | |
| skills are under developed. Those with | | | | Childhood Disintegrative Disorder |
| Asperger's are thought to have a talent that | | | | |
| they focus on almost exclusively, and are | | | | This is also thankfully pretty rare and |
| considered to be highly intelligent. Recent | | | | something that strikes children who appear to |
| findings indicate that Albert Einstein may | | | | have normal development from birth. Usually |
| have had this condition. | | | | between two and four years of age this |
| | | | changes. These children begin to regress, and |
| Kanner's Syndrome (classic autistic disorder) | | | | often do not potty train. They will lose the |
| | | | will and the ability to interact with other |
| This particular type of autism was named | | | | children, and will lose an interested in |
| after a Dr. Kanner. He described and studied | | | | play. They will also have problem with the |
| it in the 1930s and into the 1940s. This is | | | | motor skills that were something they at one |
| the well-known type of this condition that is | | | | time had mastered. They will stop talking, or |
| very common. Those with Kanner's have very | | | | their communication skills will regress to |
| limited emotional connection with anyone, and | | | | some degree. |
| they are very into their own little world. | | | | |
| They want everything to be the same all of | | | | Though there are more autism types out there, |
| the time, and this includes routine | | | | these tend to be the most common. They are |
| (sometimes down to the exact minute) | | | | all things that take parents by surprise, and |
| clothing, food, and television shows or | | | | each comes with their own set of |
| movies. They can be deeply effected by | | | | difficulties. Most children will need to be |
| noises, bright lights and smells. They are | | | | cared for long after their peers have |
| generally considered to be low functioning, | | | | established independence, even though the |
| but how well their mind works is largely | | | | will to be on their own is very strong. |
| unknown because of extremely poor social and | | | | |