Types of Autism – Discussing the Varieties and Facts

Up to date, there are five known types of autism; these involve different levels of disorders in brain development. Understanding the causes and facts about autism will make it easy to interact and care for people with this condition.

Types of Autism – The Five Different Types

There are five types of autism under the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). These disorders involve problems with the development of the brain, causing an impairment in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication problems and, a compulsive repetition, or strictly restricted range of interests and activities. Included in the types of autism are five disorders known as Classic autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett syndrome, and Pervasive developmental disorder or PDD. Classic autism involve severe communication, and learning difficulties; children affected with Asperger’s syndrome have many rituals and may sometimes have decreased pain sensitivity, but with an average to above-average intelligence levels. Those with childhood disintegrative disorder regress then they are around two to four years old, and loose the skills which they have learned; similarly, children with Rett syndrome have neurological and developmental impairments, causing them to lose muscle tone and are unable to perform motor functions for children their age. The pervasive developmental disorder is a type of autism that has symptoms, which do not fully meet the criteria that is used to diagnose the above-mentioned types.

Autism Facts – What You Should Know

Among the important autism facts are the early signs in children, which could help doctors in making a diagnosis. Children who have autism are unable to keep up with a conversation, and even make friends. Autism makes children inflexible to activities, and they may also have restricted interests or focus on different hobbies. A part of the autism facts is the striking discovery that as early as infancy, babies may already show some symptoms; they can be unresponsive when there are people around, or just focus on one object for a long period. More importantly, since an impaired social interaction is the hallmark symptom of autism, parents or the primary caregivers should have the child checked so that proper intervention may be done.

Autism Causes – Understanding Possible Factors

Although it is not certain, there are a few autism causes, which involve genetics and environmental factors. The most recent studies have strongly suggested that some children are most likely to have a genetic predisposition to the different autism types. One in twenty families having at least one child with autism is at risk of getting another child with the same disorder. Researchers have also noted that in a family with parents or other relatives of autistic children, may also have mild impairments in their communication skills and behaviours. In the environment, infectious diseases, teratogens, and nutritional deficiencies which the pregnant mother is experiencing, are some of the suspected causes of autism.