Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the communication, social interaction and behavior of the person who suffers from it. Over the years, different types of autism have been identified that have distinctive characteristics and symptoms. Understanding these types is essential to better support people with autism and tailor interventions to their specific needs.
Types of autism
1. Classic or Kanner's autism
Classical autism, also known as Kanner's autism in honor of the psychiatrist Leo Kanner who first described it in 1943, is the best known and most diagnosed type. It is characterized by significant difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, in social interaction and in the presence of repetitive behaviors and restricted interests.
People with classic autism may show difficulties in establishing and maintaining conversations, interpreting correctly the emotions of others, participate in symbolic games and show rigidity in their routines. They may also be sensitive to sensory stimuli such as light, sound or touch, which leads them to react intensely to certain stimuli in the environment.
2. Asperger Syndrome
Asperger syndrome is characterized by difficulties in social interaction and restrictive and repetitive behavior patterns, as in classic autism, but without significant delays in the development of language and cognition. People with Asperger's tend to have average or higher IQs, allowing them to perform well academically in specific areas.
Individuals with Asperger's syndrome may have difficulty understanding and responding appropriately. appropriately to non-verbal social cues, such as body language or facial expressions. They may also present intense and focused interests in specific topics, as well as difficulties adapting to changes in their routine or environment.
3. Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Specified (PDD-NE)
Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Specified, also known as atypical autism, includes people who have characteristics related to autism but who do not meet all the criteria to be diagnosed with classic autism or Asperger syndrome. These people may show difficulties in communication, social interaction and repetitive behavior patterns, but in a less severe form or with atypical manifestations.
TGD-NE is a diagnosis used to encompass those individuals who share some characteristics of the autism spectrum, but they do not fully fit into any of the existing categories. This may be due to the diversity of the autism spectrum and the need to recognize individual differences in symptom presentation.
4. High-functioning autism (HFA)
High-functioning autism refers to people on the autism spectrum who have relatively developed intellectual and linguistic abilities. Although they share some characteristics with classic autism, such as difficulties in social interaction and repetitive behavior patterns, people with high-functioning autism typically perform better in areas such as verbal communication and cognition.
People with high-functioning autism may be able to live independently, maintain jobs, and establish social relationships, although they may face challenges in interpreting subtle social cues, in cognitive flexibility, and in adapting to changes in their environment.
Common characteristics of autism
Beyond the different types of autism, there are some common characteristics that can occur in people within the autism spectrum. These characteristics can manifest themselves in a variable way in each individual, giving rise to a wide diversity of autistic profiles.
1. Communication Difficulties
People with autism may have difficulty starting and maintaining conversations, understanding the intentions of others, interpreting nonverbal language, and expressing their own emotions appropriately. This can lead to problems with language comprehension, expression and pragmatics, as well as the presence of echolalia (repetition of words or phrases), stereotyped use of speech and deficits in communicative reciprocity.
2. Problems in social interaction
Autism is characterized by difficulties in social interaction, which can manifest themselves in a lack of emotional reciprocity, difficulty establishing friendships, lack of eye contact, a preference for loneliness and lack of empathy. These difficulties can hinder the social integration of people with autism and lead to situations of isolation or interpersonal misunderstandings.
3. Repetitive patterns of behavior
Repetitive patterns of behavior are a distinctive characteristic of autism, which can manifest in stereotyped body movements, intense and focused interests in specific topics, resistance to change, the need to maintain fixed routines, and sensitivity to certain sensory stimuli. These behaviors can fulfill a self-regulatory function for the person with autism, but they can also interfere with their daily functioning and their adaptation to the environment.
4. Sensory sensitivity
People with autism may be sensitive to sensory stimuli such as light, sound, touch, smell or taste, which can cause discomfort, anxiety or hypersensitive or hyposensitive reactions. This sensory sensitivity can affect the way the person perceives and relates to their environment, as well as their level of stress and well-being in certain situations.
Importance of early identification and individualized support
Identifying autism early and providing individualized support are fundamental aspects to improve the quality of life of people on the autism spectrum. Each type of autism presents its own characteristics and challenges, which is why it is necessary to carry out a thorough and personalized evaluation in order to design effective interventions.
Early diagnosis of autism allows for the initiation of specialized interventions, such as behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, speech and communication therapy, which can help improve the social, communication and behavioral skills of the person with autism. Furthermore, emotional and educational support for both the person with autism and their family and close environment is crucial to facilitate their integration and development.
Conclusions
In summary, autism is a developmental disorder that encompasses different types, each with its own characteristics and manifestations. Understanding the 4 types of autism - classical or Kanner autism, Asperger syndrome, PDD-NE and high-functioning autism - is essential to providing appropriate and personalized support to people on the autism spectrum.
Early identification, accurate diagnosis and specialized intervention are key to improving the quality of life and well-being of people with autism, allowing them to develop their full potential and participate fully in society. Each individual within the autism spectrum is unique and deserves an individualized approach that addresses their specific needs and promotes their inclusion and autonomy.