Types of autism and its symptoms
Autism refers to a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders. Which includes a wide range of behaviors and abilities that represent the types and symptoms of autism. Understanding the unique challenges that each type of autism presents will guide you in the right way to help your child cope with the disorder. Mental health care providers and pediatricians have diagnosed five types of autism, which we will learn about in this article.
What is autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum disorders are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders often characterized by impairments in social functioning and communication disorders.
Symptoms can include intense focus on one item, unresponsiveness, lack of understanding of social cues (such as tone of voice or body language), repetitive movements, or self-injurious behavior such as head banging.
The severity of symptoms varies widely among affected individuals.
Other possible symptoms include learning to speak relatively late, not playing interactively with other children, avoiding eye contact, lack of empathy, and social withdrawal.
Children with autism who have not developed sufficient language skills may resort to screaming or crying, to express their needs.
It is important to note that people with autism can vary widely in their level of functioning, and not all people with autism will have all of the symptoms listed.
Very young children may show early symptoms such as loss of interest in social contact and social withdrawal.
What are the types and symptoms of autism?
Five types of autism have been diagnosed, and we will learn about them and their symptoms:
1. Asperger's syndrome
Asperger's syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that specifically affects communication and social interaction. This disorder is included in the autism spectrum disorders.
Those who suffer from it also have difficulties in thinking flexibly, but unlike autism, they are distinguished by having fluent speech and having average and even higher intellectual abilities than the rest of the people.
On the other hand, people diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome often have limited interests and unusual fears about a particular object or activity.
Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome
One of the more specific features of Asperger's syndrome is difficulty in social interaction. However, there are many other indications for this disorder.
- Emotional immaturity.
- Self-imposed routine.
- Feelings of misunderstanding and loneliness.
- Difficulty thinking flexibly.
- Difficulty working in a team and maintaining social relationships.
- Anxiety and depression.
- perfectionism
- Difficulty making decisions.
- They are very forthright and say what they think at all times.
- They have trouble understanding jokes, metaphors, and paradoxes.
- Despite the different symptoms that a patient may have, it must be remembered that they appear differently in each individual, so an individual diagnosis will be necessary to determine their presence.
2. Rett syndrome
Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the way the brain develops and causes a gradual loss of motor and speech skills. This disorder mainly affects girls.
Most children with Rett syndrome seem to develop normally for the first six to eighteen months of life, and then lose the skills they once had.
Symptoms of Rett syndrome
Signs and symptoms of Rett syndrome include:
- Loss of normal movement and coordination.
- Loss of communication skills.
- Abnormal hand movements eg twisting, squeezing, clapping, slapping or rubbing.
- Strange eye movements such as intense squinting, blinking, crossed eyes, or closing one eye at a time.
- Irritability and crying: Periods of crying or screaming can start suddenly, for no apparent reason and last for hours.
- Abnormal behaviors This can include, for example, cold and strange facial expressions, prolonged laughter, licking of hands, and grasping of hair or clothes.
- Cognitive impairments Loss of skills can also be associated with loss of intellectual functioning.
- Abnormal curvature of the spine.
- Heartbeat disorder
- Sleep disturbances such as sleeping during the day and staying awake at night, or waking up at night crying or screaming.
