Types of Autism
This section of the website contains information about the different types of autism – also known as autism spectrum conditions, autism spectrum disorders, ASDs or pervasive developmental disorders.
There are four main sub-types of autism recognised within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, published by the American Psychiatric Association.
- Autistic disorder, also known as autism, childhood autism, early infantile autism, Kanner’s syndrome or infantile psychosis.
- Asperger syndrome, also known as Asperger’s disorder or simply Asperger’s.
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, also known as CDD, dementia infantalis, disintegrative psychosis or Heller’s syndrome.
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder (Not Otherwise Specified), also known as PDD (NOS) or atypical autism.
Rett syndrome is no longer considered to be a sub-type of autism, although individuals with Rett syndrome may display autistic-like symptoms.
However the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-5, which is due for publication in May 2013 will eliminate the four sub-types listed above by dissolving them into one diagnosis called autism spectrum disorder. According to the APA, this represents an effort to more accurately diagnose all individuals showing the signs of autism.
At present, the term ‘autism’ is sometimes used interchangeably with the term ‘autism spectrum disorders’ to mean any or all of the different forms of ASD. It is also sometimes used interchangeably with the term ‘autistic disorder’.
Asperger SyndromeAutism (Autism Spectrum Disorder)Autistic Disorder (Autism)Childhood Disintegrative DisorderPervasive Developmental Disorder (Not Otherwise Specified)Back To Top
