Types of Autism

It is said that Autism Spectrum Disorder is 4 time more prevalent in males that females. The reason? Up to this point it ranges from pure speculation to unknown. Well it’s not that surprising considering the fact that we (humans with all our medicines) haven’t completely uncovered the mystery of the human brain.

Sad to say that Autism Spectrum Disorders are one some of the most common developmental Disabilities. Up to this point there is no definite medical test to diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder. Most diagnosis is based on the behavior of the child that is observable.

HERE ARE THE TYPES OF AUTISM:

Early Onset Autism: This type of autism could be diagnosed early on the baby’s life.  Right on the onset, babies with this type of autism shows no sign of connection, no eye contact that should be expected from the child during its first few months. They Don’t Babble like any normal 9 months old baby and carries the same traits that make it hard for them to develop their language skills on the first 2 years.

Regressive Autism:  this is a case of autism wherein a child tends to develop normally during the first year. They are playful and interactive, but after the first year they change dramatically. They begin to drift back, tending to lose their social skills and eye contact and even listening. There have been cases when parents believe that this impairment is attributed to a hearing loss or even a vaccination injury since the symptoms begins to show after the child has been given series of vaccination.

Halted Progression Autism: There is a thin line that separates this type of Autism to Regressive Autism.  Babies with this type of autism also develop normally during the first year. However unlike regressive autism, the children having a halted progression autism does not regress. They do not drift back, their development just end to slow down. This type of autism is often diagnosed much later than regressive autism, because it usually diagnosed only when parent or teachers noticed that the children is no longer behaving at par with their age.

Asperger’s  Syndrome:  It’s distinction with High-functioning autism is not so defined. Some psychologist believes that they are the same. Children suffering from Asperger’s  Syndrome seems to develop in a normal manner and sometimes even show advance intellectual skills. They are usually diagnosed later that other types of autism. Usually diagnosed when the child begins to attend school where they are confronted with varied social behaviors. It is when they do not show any signs understanding  these varied behaviors that the signs of autism begins to show.

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Autism: What is it?

First, let me start by saying that Autism is not a disease. It is some sort of brain impairment or disorder and up to this point in time, there is no known cure for it. Some claims that autism is caused by nerve cell defects. This nerve cells called neurons have hundreds of thousands if not millions connection that carries messages and commands for the body to analyze and act upon accordingly. If there are indeed defects on these neurons, the possibility is that some messages are not received properly by the brain thus making the person respond in a different manner or not respond at all.

Handling children with special cases like autism requires patience, a truckload of patience, the whole shebang. It will not be easy getting through to them for a reason. Imagine the development of the child as a ladder with several steps and amongst these steps, three are impaired; Communication, Social Interaction and behavior.

Since communication is impaired, it will be hard to tell them what to do, they don’t receive feedback easily and they don’t always respond to the things you are telling them, making learning a very difficult process. Since they don’t communicate well, one can expect that that social interaction will be limited or none existent at all. Without this two components, communication and social interaction, you cannot really expect that kids with autism would behave normally most of the time.
Kids with autism doesn’t play well with other kids, it will be very hard for them to make friends because they don’t communicate well with other kids. This is not because they don’t want to, it is because they don’t know how and they don’t care.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health of the United States Here are some early signs of Autism:

• Does not play with others
• Does not babble, point, or make meaningful gestures by 1 year of age
• Does not speak one word by 16 months
• Does not combine two words by 2 years
• Does not respond to name
• Zero social skills
• Poor or no eye contact
• Doesn't seem to know how to play with toys
• Excessively lines up toys or other objects
• Is attached to one particular toy or object
• Doesn't smile
• At times seems to be hearing impaired

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