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What kind of autism are there


What Are the 5 Types of Autism?

Autism refers to a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders. If your child is living with autism, it is important for you to understand the various types of autism and the symptoms presented by each.

Understanding the unique challenges presented by each type of autism will guide you in helping your child cope with the disorder. There are five major types of autism which include Asperger’s syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, Kanner’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified.

Main Types of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Asperger’s Syndrome

Although the term Asperger’s syndrome was quite common before 2013, the term is actually no longer used by medical professionals. It has since been reclassified as level 1 autism spectrum disorder by the DSM-5 diagnostic manual. Still, Asperger’s syndrome may be used informally — in fact, autism communities use it more often than level 1 spectrum disorder.

A child with level 1 spectrum disorder will have above average intelligence and strong verbal skills but will experience challenges with social communication. In general, a child with level 1 autism spectrum disorder will display the following symptoms:

  • Inflexibility in thought and behavior
  • Challenges in switching between activities
  • Executive functioning problems
  • Flat monotone speech, the inability to express feelings in their speech, or change their pitch to fit their immediate environment
  • Difficulty interacting with peers at school or home

Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that is noticed in infancy. The disorder mostly affects girls, although it can still be diagnosed in boys. Rett syndrome presents challenges that affect almost every aspect of a child's life. The good thing is your child can still enjoy and live a fulfilling life with the proper care. You can have family time together and provide support to allow the child to do what they enjoy.

Common symptoms of Rett syndrome include:

  • Loss of standard movement and coordination
  • Challenges with communication and speech
  • Breathing difficulties in some cases

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)

Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), also known as Heller's syndrome or disintegrative psychosis, is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by delayed onset of developmental problems in language, motor skills, or social function. A child experiences normal development in these areas only to hit a snag after age three and up to age 10. The developmental loss can be very heartbreaking for parents who had no idea their child had autism challenges all along.

The cause of CDD is unknown though researchers link it to the neurobiology of the brain. Childhood disintegrative disorder is more common in boys. Out of every 10 cases of the disorder, nine will be boys, and only one will be a girl.

In CDD, the child will have normal development up to the time when the disorder starts, and regressions suddenly start to occur in more than two developmental aspects of their life. The child may lose any of the following skills and abilities:

  • Toileting skills if they had already been established
  • Acquired language or vocabularies
  • Social skills and adaptive behaviors
  • Some motor skills

Kanner’s Syndrome

Kanner’s syndrome was discovered by psychiatrist Leo Kanner of John Hopkins University in 1943 when he characterized it as infantile autism. Doctors also describe the condition as a classic autistic disorder. Children with Kanner's syndrome will appear attractive, alert, and intelligent with underlying characteristics of the disorder such as:

  • Lack of emotional attachment with others
  • Communication and interaction challenges
  • Uncontrolled speech
  • Obsession with handling objects
  • A high degree of rote memory and visuospatial skills with major difficulties learning in other areas

Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is a mild type of autism that presents a range of symptoms. The most common symptoms are challenges in social and language development.

Your child may experience delays in language development, walking, and other motor skills. You can identify this type of autism by observing the child and noting what area the child displays a deficit in, such as interacting with others. PDD-NOS is sometimes referred to as “subthreshold autism,” as it is a term used to describe an individual that has some but not all symptoms of autism.

Managing the Different Types of Autism

Management of autism depends on the type of autism and the severity of symptoms. For instance, mild types of autism such as level 1 autism spectrum disorder can be managed through behavior modification or social training while individuals with Rett syndrome would require more substantial support like physical or occupational therapy.

Some forms of autism require behavior modification and other additional support. You may be required to change your child's diet to avoid preservatives, gluten, and artificial sugars. Another example is adding food coloring to different foods in a meal to encourage your child to improve their visual skills as they eat. Your family doctor will guide you on the specific treatment options that will best serve your child.

We Can Help

If you are taking care of a child with autism, you first need to identify the type of autism affecting your child. After identification, you will need to seek consultation from an expert to help you manage the specific type of autism disorder. Children living with autism experience social challenges, and only a well-trained and experienced therapist can help them. At Integrity Inc., our services have been tested and modified by years of experience in treating autism. Let us be the help your child needs to cope with the challenges of any form of autism. Call us at (501) 406-0442 to book an appointment today!

Rett Syndrome Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Written by Matthew Hoffman, MD

  • What Causes Rett Syndrome?
  • How Is Rett Syndrome Different From Autism?
  • How Rare Is Rett Syndrome?
  • How Is Rett Syndrome Different for Boys?
  • What Are the Symptoms of Rett Syndrome?
  • What Are the Stages of Rett Syndrome?
  • How Do Doctors Diagnose Rett Syndrome?
  • What Are the Treatments?
  • What’s the Outlook?
  • More
  • Related Articles

Rett syndrome is a rare, severe, and progressive disorder that affects mostly girls. It can impact your child’s ability to speak, walk, eat, or breathe easily.

Parents or doctors usually notice signs of Rett syndrome in the first 2 years of a child’s life. If your child has it, it’s common for them to miss key milestones in development or lose abilities they used to have.

There's no cure for this lifelong disorder, but early treatment may help your child adjust.

What Causes Rett Syndrome?

Most children with Rett syndrome have a mutation on the X chromosome, usually in a gene called MECP2.

Exactly what this gene does, or how its mutation leads to Rett syndrome, isn’t clear. Researchers think that the single gene may influence many other genes involved in development.

Although Rett syndrome is genetic, children almost never inherit the faulty gene from their parents. Rather, it’s a chance mutation that happens in DNA.

How Is Rett Syndrome Different From Autism?

Both conditions can make it hard to communicate and socialize.

But there are key differences:

  • Rett syndrome usually happens in girls, while autism spectrum disorder is much more common in boys.
  • Some symptoms of Rett syndrome don’t happen with autism spectrum disorder. These include slowed rate of head growth, loss of hand skills, less mobility, and irregular breathing.
  • A child with Rett syndrome usually prefers people more than objects and likes when you show them affection. The opposite can be true in a child with autism spectrum disorder.

How Rare Is Rett Syndrome?

About 1 out of every 10,000 to 15,000 girls worldwide is born with Rett syndrome. The disorder is even rarer in boys.

How Is Rett Syndrome Different for Boys?

When boys develop the Rett syndrome mutation, they rarely live past birth. Males have only one X chromosome (instead of the two girls have), so the effects of the genetic mutation are much more serious and almost always fatal.

Most baby boys with Rett syndrome show signs of it very early on, and they have health problems starting when they’re born or soon after. They need aggressive medical treatment, meaning treatment that’s more intense than usual.

What Are the Symptoms of Rett Syndrome?

The age when symptoms appear varies. But most babies with Rett syndrome seem to grow normally for the first 6 months before any signs of the disorder become obvious.

The most common changes usually show up when babies are between 12 and 18 months, and they can be sudden or progress slowly.

Some symptoms of Rett syndrome are:

Slowed growth. The brain doesn’t grow properly, and the head is usually small -- doctors call this microcephaly. This stunted growth becomes clearer as your child gets older.

Problems with hand movements. Most children with Rett syndrome lose the use of their hands. They tend to wring or rub their hands together.

No language skills. Between the ages of 1 to 4, social and language skills start to decline. Children with Rett syndrome stop talking and can have extreme social anxiety. They may stay away from or not be interested in other people, toys, and their surroundings.

Problems with muscles and coordination. This can make walking awkward.

Trouble with breathing. This can include very fast breathing (hyperventilation), forceful exhaling of air or saliva, and swallowing air.

Seizures. Most people with Rett syndrome have seizures at some point in their lives.

It’s also possible to have:

Behavior changes. Children with Rett syndrome tend to become tense and irritable as they get older. At times they may cry or scream for a while or have long fits of laughter.

Some kids with Rett syndrome also make unusual faces, lick their hands, or grasp at hair or clothes.

Unusual eye motion. This can include staring or blinking intensely, crossed eyes, or shutting one eye at a time.

Trouble sleeping. Your child might have a hard time falling asleep at night and nod off during the day. Or they might wake up at night screaming or crying.

Scoliosis. This sideway curve in the spine is common with Rett syndrome. It usually starts when a child is between 8 and 11 years old and gets worse with age. If it becomes severe, your child may need surgery.

Irregular heartbeat. Many children and adults with Rett syndrome have this serious condition, which can be life-threatening without treatment.

It’s possible to have a few other symptoms, like:

  • Less of a reaction to pain than usual
  • Small hands and feet that often get cold
  • Trouble chewing and swallowing
  • Grinding teeth
  • Bowel problems

Symptoms of Rett syndrome usually don’t improve over time. It’s a lifelong progressive condition. The symptoms often get worse very slowly or don’t change. It’s rare for people with Rett syndrome to be able to live on their own.

What Are the Stages of Rett Syndrome?

In general, there are four stages. But the way the stages unfold and the severity of Rett vary from child to child.

Stage I: Early onset. This stage usually happens when your baby is 6 months to 1 1/2 years old. It lasts for a few months to a year.

The symptoms of the disorder are subtle during this time, which can make them easy for you to overlook. Your baby might make less eye contact with you and seem less interested in toys. They might also take longer than usual to sit up or crawl.

Stage II: Rapid destructive. Some doctors also call this the “rapid deterioration” stage. It usually starts when a child is 1 to 4 years old, and it can last weeks to months.

During this stage, your child could lose skills they used to have. It can happen quickly or gradually.

You might also notice clearer symptoms of Rett syndrome, like slower head growth, unusual hand movements, rapid breathing, trouble moving or coordinating, and losing social and communication skills.

Stage III: Plateau. This stage can start anytime from preschool to adulthood, and it can last for decades.

Your child may continue to have trouble moving, but they may cry and get irritable less often. Their communication skills and hand use might also improve.

They may start to have seizures during this stage. In general, children with Rett syndrome don’t get seizures before they’re 2 years old.

Stage IV: Late motor deterioration. This stage usually starts after your child is 10, and it can last decades.

It’s when your child is able to move on their own less or not at all. They may also have muscle weakness, limited range of motion in their joints, and scoliosis.

But their ability to understand, communicate, and use their hands may improve a bit or stay stable. If they have seizures, they may get them less often, too.

How Do Doctors Diagnose Rett Syndrome?

Doctors can make the diagnosis by observing your child’s pattern of symptoms and behavior. They’ll probably also ask you about things like when the symptoms started.

Because Rett syndrome is rare, doctors will first rule out other conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, metabolic disorders, and prenatal brain disorders.

Genetic testing can help confirm the mutation in 80% of girls with suspected Rett syndrome. Doctors also rely on what’s called an RTT Diagnostic Criteria Worksheet. It assesses your child’s early growth and development.

If you have one child with Rett syndrome, your chances of having another child with the disorder are small – even less than a 1% chance, according to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation.

Still, you and your partner can get tested for gene mutations before you decide whether you want to have more kids. You can get more information by talking with an experienced genetic counselor.

If a mother learns that she has an MECP2 mutation (without symptoms, just a positive blood test), any daughters she has who don’t have Rett syndrome can choose to get tested once they become old enough to have kids. It could help them find out if they also have the mutated gene.

A diagnosis of Rett syndrome shouldn’t solely be based on genetic testing because the mutation can be seen in other similar conditions.

What Are the Treatments?

There’s no cure for Rett syndrome, but treatments can help with a child’s symptoms. They should get these treatments for their entire life.

The best options for treating Rett syndrome include:

Standard medical care and medication. Meds may help control symptoms like seizures, stiff muscles, and problems with sleeping, breathing, the heart, or digestive tract.

Physical therapy. PT and using braces or casts can help children who need hand or joint support or have scoliosis. Sometimes, physical therapy can help them keep moving, sit more easily, walk better, and improve their balance and flexibility. Assistive devices like a walker or wheelchair might also help.

Speech therapy. If your child has trouble talking, this could help them learn nonverbal ways to communicate and socialize.

Occupational therapy. This can boost your child’s ability to use their hands to do things like put on clothes and feed themselves. If they have trouble making repetitive movements with their arms and hands, the occupational therapist might recommend splints that limit elbow and wrist motion.

Good nutrition. Work with your child’s doctor to make sure they’re eating a balanced diet, which is important for healthy growth and better mental, physical, and social skills. Also ask the doctor what you need to do prevent your child from choking on food or vomiting while eating. Some children and adults with Rett syndrome benefit from being fed through a tube placed into the belly.

Behavioral therapy. If your child has certain behavior issues, this might help improve them. It could also teach them good sleep habits that help them get a better night’s rest.

Supportive services. You can look into early intervention programs as well as school, social, and job-training services for your child.

What’s the Outlook?

Experts believe that therapy can help children, especially girls, with Rett syndrome and their parents. Some kids may be able to go to school and learn how to socialize better.

Many girls with Rett syndrome can live at least into middle age. Researchers are studying women with the disease, which was only widely recognized in the last 20 years.

Classification of autism - Mardaleishvili Medical Center

Autism is a disorder of the nervous system, mental disorder of a child. There are difficulties in interacting with the outside world and society.

This is a condition that accompanies the child throughout life.

Characteristic features of childhood autism are:

  1. Closeness;
  2. Limited interests;
  3. Difficulties in communication.

Psychologists and psychotherapists work with such a pathology.

Autism, like any disease, has its own classification. Consider the main groups of RDA in more detail.

Classification of childhood autism

There are two types of classification of childhood autism.

The main ones are:

  • ICD-10;
  • DSM-IV.

The first species was introduced by the World Health Organization. Today he is the main in classification of childhood autism . Based on the symptoms of the disease. Each type has its own code.

Let's take a closer look at the types of autism in children and the cipher to which it refers. Childhood autism has one common code F 84.0. Further, this disease was divided into several subspecies.

Subspecies of childhood autism have their own codes and are divided into:

  1. Atypical autism;
  2. Asperger's Syndrome;
  3. Childhood autism disorder;
  4. Rett syndrome;
  5. Mental retardation disorder with stereotyped movements;
  6. Pervasive unspecified disorders.

The second type of classification of childhood autism was presented by the American community of psychiatrists. Both of these classifications differ only in code.

Consider what species are included in this classification.

It includes four types of childhood autism:

  • Rett's disorder;
  • Asperger's disorder;
  • Pervasive developmental disorder, atypical autism.
  • Disintegrative disorder of childhood;

In addition to international classifications, a psychological variant is distinguished. It was proposed by Nikolskaya O.S. According to this classification, 4 groups of children with autism were identified.

The following groups were distinguished:

  1. Detachment, lack of need for contact with the outside world;
  2. Presence of negativism and rejection of reality, hyperexcitability;
  3. Substitution of the environment, lack of emotional connection with loved ones;
  4. Lack of contact with the external environment, fearfulness, vulnerability.

When compared with healthy peers, an autistic child shows a lack of interest in anything new. Children's curiosity is missing. With early childhood autism, classification allows you to accurately select the type of psychological rehabilitation.

Today there is a method of treating childhood autism with one's own stem cells from umbilical cord blood or bone marrow. This method of treatment is successfully used in the Mardaleishvili clinic in Georgia.

Contact the Mardaleishvili clinic!

Types of autism - description, stages, forms and groups of autism, degrees and types of autism in children

What is autism?

Defining autism is a difficult task. This is due to the fact that researchers, scientists and physicians do not have reliable facts about the causes of this disease and cannot trace the processes that lead to the development of this condition. But the main reason is the huge variety of manifestations, symptoms and forms of autism. It is in consequence of this feature that autism is usually called a spectrum disorder - Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is characterized by impaired communication, verbal abilities, difficulties in interacting with the outside world, and limited interests. The division of this disorder into childhood autism and adult autism is possible very conditionally, since autistic features remain in a person all his life, even with complete habilitation.

Each case of autism is unique, and as they say, "If you know one autist, you only know one autist." Despite this, scientists, doctors, researchers are trying to isolate from a huge variety of cases similar in severity of manifestations and symptoms and combine groups of children and adults into types of autism in order to make a correct diagnosis and correctly prioritize corrective work.

Types of autism in children and adults

Autism is included in a separate group of general disorders of psychological development according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and has the code F84. If necessary, to identify diseases associated with these disorders or mental retardation, use an additional code. It was the clinical description of autism that gave grounds to divide it by type, relying on general symptoms and manifestations, degrees of autism in children and adults:

  • Asperger's syndrome is distinguished by a fairly high intelligence in the presence of developed spontaneous speech. Most of these patients are capable of active communication and social life, including the use of speech. Many doctors have difficulty diagnosing, because high functionality obscures the problem, and the manifestations of the disease can be perceived as an extreme version of the norm or personality accentuation.
  • Classical autism (Kanner's syndrome) is distinguished by the completeness of the clinical picture, when there are distinct signs of anomalies in three areas of higher nervous activity (social interaction, communication, behavior). In terms of severity, this type varies significantly - from mild to the most severe.
  • Non-specific pervasive developmental disorder (atypical autism): the disorder does not reveal itself by far from all typical autistic features, abnormal manifestations can cover only 2 of the 3 main vulnerable areas. Having a similar diagnosis of autism, children have a high chance of successful development and approaching the normotypical model
  • Rett syndrome: usually affects girls, the syndrome is not easy, often appears in early childhood, can lead to low functionality by the period of final adulthood (even with full corrective care).
  • Childhood disintegrative disorder: The first signs appear by 1.5-2 years and up to school. Clinically, it often looks like a regression of already mastered skills (divided attention, speech, motor skills).

These types of autism are of value in clinical diagnosis. However, for therapeutic purposes, correctional tasks, and for specialists who work to improve the quality of life and acquire skills of both a social nature and a household plan, an updated diagnosis according to the ICD is often not important, since it is not sufficiently informative about the patient’s current problems, stage development of the disease and its impact on a particular person. To simplify work in this area, it is customary to divide patients into the following forms of autism in children and adults: high-functioning and low-functioning. This is a certain scale, at one end of which are children with very severe impairments, pronounced symptoms, requiring help throughout their lives, and at the opposite end are highly functional children who have every chance of independence and compensation in adulthood. The place of a child or an adult on this line is indicated by a therapist, doctor, analyst, thereby indicating the level and direction of his development.

However, the division into these types of autism caused a resonance in the autistic society itself: non-verbal people on this scale are classified as low-functioning, but with their thinking, ability to communicate with the outside world, everything is in perfect order. This is because the criterion of functionality itself is deeply flawed, because it is based on the false premise that visible external behavior is tantamount to intelligence. As trite as it may sound, you need to move away from treating people by their appearance. Autism specialists should assume intelligence in everyone without exception.

Based on logical reasoning, ethical considerations and, nevertheless, the need to classify the degree of autism in children and adults, in modern and progressive society it is customary to divide not into clinical forms, but into the degree of need for support - from full and constant support of a person, partial guardianship, to complete independence.

When faced with an ASD diagnosis, it is important to remember that levels of functionality and associated symptoms may change with adequate therapy. And not just to change - gradually and carefully, but also to move from heavy to light.

Most studies agree that early intervention (before 3 years of age) with behavioral therapy, medication (if necessary), systematic sessions with correctional educators and a comprehensive approach significantly increase the child's chances of a normal life along with peers.

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