Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulty in social communication, deficits in unsocial interactions, restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior along sensory issues.

The main types of autism are classified into 5 different types. They are Asper’s syndrome, Rett syndrome, Kanner’s syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder,  childhood disintegrative disorder.

Asperger’s Syndrome

It has been reclassified as level 1 autism spectrum disorder by the DSM -5 diagnostic manual. Still, Asperger’s syndrome may be informally in fact autism communities use it more often than level 1 spectrum disorder. The common symptoms are noticeable the inflexibility in thought and behavior. challenges in switching between, problems in executing functional tasks, characterized by flat monotonous speech, inability to express feeling in their speech or to change their pitch to fit their immediate environment. Also, they find it difficult to make friends among peers or to interact with them.

Retts Syndrome

It is more commonly seen in girls than boys. The clinical features include loss of standard movement and coordination. The communication and speech challenges. Breathing difficulty is another salient feature.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder or Disintegrative Psychosis

It is a  neurodevelopmental disorder defined by delayed onset of developmental problems in language, motor skills, or social function. Most commonly seen in boys. They will have normal development up to the time when disorder starts and regression suddenly start to occur in more than two developmental aspects of their life. They may lose toileting skills. The acquired language or vocabulary will regress. The adaptive behaviors and social skills decline. Certain motor skills will deteriorate.

Kanner’s Syndrome

This is characterized by a lack of emotional attachment with others. They find it challenging in the area of communication and interpersonal skills. They will have uncontrolled speech. Obsession with handling objects is another symptom. A high degree of rote memory and visuospatial skills with major difficulties learning in other areas.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder

It is otherwise known as PDD-NOS . Moreover, it is a mild type of autism. The common features are challenges in social and language development. There will be a delay in motor milestones and communication. This subthreshold autism has some but not all symptoms of autism.