What Are the 5 Different Types of Autism?

The field of psychology is ever-evolving. As time goes on, the language we use to describe different disorders, as well as the way that Autism is diagnosed, continues to change. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a primary example.

In this article, we will discuss the different ways that Autism Spectrum Disorder can present itself, including old terminology and the levels of autism that currently differentiate the needs of those on the spectrum.

Lastly, we'll go over how to manage the different types as well as the diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Different Types of Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD is characterized by a set of traits related to persistent or ongoing deficits in social interaction and communication in numerous contacts and repetitive, restrictive interests, behaviors, and activities.

The disorder is said to impact one out of every 44 kids. It can range in severity, and the symptoms a person experiences may vary. Understanding the different ways Autism Spectrum Disorder can present can be helpful in understanding a person who lives with the disorder, as well as how the treatments can range. 

Autism in the DSM-5

Though Autism Spectrum Disorder presents differently from person to person, Autism is now considered one disorder and is diagnosed as Autism Spectrum Disorder regardless of severity and discrepancies in traits.

Prior to the DSM-5, there were five disorders under a category called Pervasive Developmental Disorders, including Autistic Disorder and Asperger's Disorder. Now, levels are used to indicate support needs instead.

ASD Level 1 is considered the mildest form of Autism. As the levels progress, support needs increase. Specifiers can also be useful and will be included in a person's diagnosis if applicable.

Old terminology

From time to time, you may still hear old terminology used to describe a person who lives with ASD to this day, or a person may use it to self-describe. Much of this terminology comes from previous editions of the DSM. In the DSM-4, diagnoses under the category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders included:

• Autistic Disorder 
• Asperger's Disorder
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
• Rett's Disorder

A diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder now encompasses Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, and PDD-NOS. On the other hand, CDD and Rett's Disorder do not translate to an Autism diagnosis. 

Levels of Autism

The Autism spectrum refers to the range of symptoms that a person with Autism spectrum disorder might experience. This is not the same as the “levels” of Autism. The levels of Autism indicate different support needs. These include:

Level 1

Level 1 indicates lower-level support needs. A person with ASD level 1 will often be able to live a mostly independent life. 

Level 2

Level 2 indicates substantial support needs. Substantial support is required to help a person with ASD level 2 with change, communication, and other challenges. 

Level 3

Level 3 indicates high support needs. For a person with ASD level 3, substantial support is required. 

Managing the Different Types

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a condition that does not go away. However, appropriate interventions and forms of therapy, especially if someone is able to access early diagnosis and intervention, can help a person succeed and have a positive impact on skills and symptoms.

Due to the fact that a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder is so broad, symptom management for a person with Autism will depend on their unique and specific needs. Even two people similar in symptom severity could have very different needs and require very different treatments from one another.

Diagnosis 

Questionnaires such as the M-CHAT-R/F can be used to screen for symptoms in toddlers, and there are other tools, too, that parents can use to potentially identify symptoms that may be a cause for concern in their child.

However, Autism Spectrum Disorder can only be diagnosed by a professional such as a psychiatrist, pediatrician or another qualified healthcare professional. It's currently diagnosed based on DSM-5 criteria.

Signs may be picked up on by professionals at 18 months or younger, though a person can be diagnosed at any point in time, including adulthood. The CDC indicates that a diagnosis is reliable by the age of two but that many people don’t get their diagnosis until later on.

Sometimes, it isn't clear whether or not a person lives with Autism until they are in a situation where symptoms cause marked challenges (e.g., school). The diagnostic process will include an in-depth review of a person's developmental history, an overview of a person's symptoms, the elimination of other potential causes of symptoms, and any appropriate tests or questionnaires.

For adults, the diagnostic process may look different from what it looks like for a child - for example, different tests might be used. Diagnostic evaluations are thorough and they can be costly.

However, the price can differ, and there may be options for individuals who need help covering the cost or need lower-cost services in some cases. Similarly, a diagnosis can help a person get the support they need. 

Treatment

There are a number of different treatments and forms of support that are used for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Many times, a child, teen, or adult, may use a combination of different treatments. Treatments for Autism include but aren't restricted to:

• Behavioral therapy. This may include forms of therapy such as Positive Behavioral and Support (PBS). 
• Mental health therapy. Types of mental health therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people with Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as a wide range of other concerns to address emotions, work through anxiety, and cope with other challenges.
• Parent training (PT). Parent training is used for parents of kids with a number of different conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder. It can be broad and may include a number of different interventions. However, the goal is to educate parents and give information on what they can do at home to help their children. Read more parenting tips for a child with autism.
• Education and school-based support. These can include 504 plans and IEPs (available to students who qualify for special education), tutoring, and more. 
• Occupational therapy. Occupational therapy helps people with daily life activities and can be catered to the needs of a specific person. Examples of goals in occupational therapy for someone with Autism could include fine motor skills, personal hygiene, improved social interaction, and more. 
• Social skills training. Since Autism is partially characterized by social differences and challenges, social skills training can help address these concerns directly and in a focused environment. 
• Speech-language therapy. Some people with Autism might see a speech-language pathologist for speech-language therapy if needed to aid their speech.
• Joint attention therapy. It's common for people with Autism to struggle with focusing on an object, area, or person. Joint attention therapy can help to improve specific skills related to shared attention such as these.

At times, other treatments, such as medication and nutrition therapy, might be used if needed. For example, say that an individual has sensory issues that prevent them from proper nutrition. In this case, nutrition therapy may be beneficial.

If a person has another diagnosis alongside Autism Spectrum Disorder, such as a learning disability or ADHD, they may receive treatment(s) for that as well. This will inform their overall treatment plan.