Autism is a collection of neurodevelopmental diseases that affect behaviour and communication. The autism spectrum is the different ability levels in autistic patients. 1 in 34 children are on this spectrum in the US alone, showing how common it has become.
Autistic people face differences from childhood that affects their day-to-day activities. Some of these challenges include;
- Communication troubles with friends
- Portraying repetitive behaviours
- Facing difficulties in particular life aspects.
The early signs of autism are;
- Flat voice tone
- Sleeping problems
- Back and forth communication difficulty
- Little eye contact
- Sensory activities.
Autism therapy is administered to these children to ease the symptoms. Let us dive right into the types of autism.
- Asperger’s Syndrome
The term Asperger’s syndrome was popular before 2012 but is no longer used in the medical field. This syndrome has been reclassified as type 1 spectrum syndrome. Children with this disorder are less-intelligent and have average communication skills.
These children exhibit the following symptoms;
- Behaviour inflexibility
- Difficulty in switching activities
- Functioning issues
- Challenges interacting with friends
- Flat speech.
- Rett Syndrome
Rett syndrome is rare that is mainly common in children, especially girls. This disorder has challenges that affect different parts of the child’s life. However, the child can still live a joyous life with the correct guidance. It will help to schedule family time and give the child support.
The most common symptoms in this condition include;
- Loss of coordination movement
- Speech and communication challenges
- Breathing difficulties.
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
CDD is also called Heller’s syndrome and is characterized by language and social function delay. Children experience standard developments but hit a wall at around three years. The developmental stage is heartbreaking for guardians that did not know the child faced autism challenges.
CDD occurs due to brain neurobiology and is more common in boys. Children with this condition have normal development in their life aspects but are likely to lose the following abilities;
- Motor skills
- Adaptive behaviours and social skills
- Acquired vocabularies
- Toileting skills.
- Kanner’s Syndrome
Leo Kanner was a psychiatrist from John Hopkins University who discovered Kanner’s syndrome. This condition is classified as a classic autistic disorder by doctors and children having it look alert and intelligent.
This syndrome is characterized by the following symptoms;
- Uncontrolled speech
- Lack of emotional attachment
- Communication challenges
- High rate in rote memory
- Obsessed with handling items.
- Pervasive Disorder
The pervasive developmental disorder is a severe form of autism with many symptoms. Its most famous signs are difficulties in social development. Children might have delayed communication walking, among others.
It is possible to identify this autism by studying the child to see what areas have a deficit. PDD is also called “subthreshold autism”, a term that describes people who show a few autism symptoms.
How to Manage Autism
Autism management depends on the type of condition and the symptom severity. Mild autism types are managed using behaviour modification, while severe cases require occupational therapy.
Final Thoughts
Autism is a common condition that affects children. It affects a child’s social skills, and it would help to observe your child to detect it. The above article has discussed all you need to know about autism.
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