Types Of Autism

Autism is a neurological disorder that begins anytime between birth and two and a half years of age. The disorder can range from mild to severe. While autistic children look normal, their behavior is different from other children of their age and can be puzzling or even disturbing. They might suffer from social deficits, would have communication issues, and would indulge in bizarre or repetitive behavior. Earlier a rare occurrence, autism now effects one in 150 children. Normally, the medical prognosis is better for children who are treated earlier. Interestingly, autism is not just one disorder, but is rather a spectrum of five disorders, each with its own set of symptoms. An examination of these will help parents identify any similar symptoms that their child might exhibit and will be able to get early treatment for their child.

 

 

Classic Autism 

This brain disorder is one in which there is marred social functioning, thinking and feeling. The child is unable to respond properly, to communicate, or to form relationships with others.

Causes 

This developmental disorder has, as its peculiarity, a lesser or greater amount damage to communication and language skills. There is also restrictive or repetitive patterns in behavior and thought. Contrary to Classic Autism, the children affected with Asperger Syndrome do not lose their early language skills as this disorder progresses.

This is a much rarer disorder than many other types of autism and is one in which there are varying degrees of regression in social interaction, developmental motor skills and communication skills. This affects less than 2 out of 100,000 children who suffer from any of the autism spectrum disorders. Most of the sufferers are males and the regression usually begins when the child is between 2 to 4 years of age.

 

This is a relatively rare form of autism, which primarily effects females and occurs in one out of 10,000 to 15,000 people. Rett Syndrome is a neuro-development disorder due to a gene mutation which end up producing too much of a protein required by the brain to function normally.

 

When children display general symptoms of autism, but when the symptoms do not fall into those peculiar to Classic Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder or Rett Syndrome, these would be classified as part of pervasive Development Disorder. Symptoms could appear at infancy or any time before the child reaches the age of 3.