Explaining PDD-NOS, Aspberger's, and other types of Autism?

My cousin is autistic but I'm not quite sure what kind. Can someone please explain the difference between different types of Autism? Thanks!



P.S. He is VERY smart and when he gets excited he "shakes" his hands and jumps up and down. He is a twin. He is also 6 years old and in kindergarten. Thanks again!Explaining PDD-NOS, Aspberger's, and other types of Autism?
Here is a quick layman's answer:

* PDD is the umbrella that includes all autism-like disorders, including those who are autistic-like, but do not have "enough points" to be fully-diagnosed as autistic.

* Autism is a spectrum of disorders characterized by more neurons wired for better linear processing and less multitasking than the neurotypical person. This results in an inability to process natural and spontaneous social skills, such as appropriate eye-contact, which results in many social issues.

* Asperger's Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism are forms of autism that tend to correlate with a higher than normal intelligence, gifts, or IQ.

* "Lower" Autism may occur concurrently with mental retardation and other physical and neurological conditions.
People with classic autism have social and communication difficulties, lack of eye contact, delayed speech, repetitive movements, intense fixations or interests, need for routine and sameness, poor motor coordination, and abnormal sensory processing. It ranges from low- to high-functioning. Asperger's syndrome is a mild and high-functioning form of autism. Its symptoms are the same, except there is no speech delay. PDD-NOS, also called atypical autism, is when someone has signifcant autism symptoms but doesn't meet the diagnostic criteria for autism or Asperger's. Someone with PDD-NOS could be at any level of functioning.Explaining PDD-NOS, Aspberger's, and other types of Autism?
All the answers so far are very well put. I was going to say almost the same thing as the others so I thought that I would just put Good Answers! My daughter has Asperger's Syndrome and my son is Autistic. My daughter can talk very well but has problems with social skills my son does not talk very well and also has MR to go along with it
with pdd you can not get services with the local regional center, with autism you can, its all under the same umbrellaExplaining PDD-NOS, Aspberger's, and other types of Autism?
Autism is a spectrum disorder meaning it has a wide range symptoms and impairment levels. Every person who suffers from it is affected in his or her own unique way. A very basic definition of autism is, it is a neurological and developmental disorder which adversely affects communication, social skills, and thought processes. Ritualistic behavior, repetitive behavior, difficulty relating to and understanding social interactions, and odd speech patterns such as echolalia (repeating others) are common hallmarks. It is not a mental illness that can be treated with medication even though autistic people can appear to have O.C.D (obsessive compulsive disorder) and suffer from anxiety related to their handicap. The social impairment aspect can be mild (such as in Asberger's) or at its severest can require its sufferers to require institutionalization and/ or lifetime care. A person with Asberger's Syndrome is extremely intelligent but may display extremely narrow interests and are socially awkward. A person with PDD-NOS (pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified) falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum and shows impairment and delay in language, social and interactive skills and may show symptoms of repetitive odd behaviors, but does not show all of the symptoms of "classic autism".



"The term Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS; also referred to as "atypical personality development", "atypical PDD", or "atypical autism") is included in [ DSM-IV ] to encompass cases where there is marked impairment of social interaction, communication, and/or stereotyped behavior patterns or interest, but when full features for autism or another explicitly defined PDD are not met. It should be emphasized that this ''sub threshold'' category is thus defined implicitly, that is, no specific guidelines for diagnosis are provided. While deficits in peer relations and unusual sensitivities are typically noted, social skills are less impaired than in classical autism. The lack of definitions) for this relatively heterogeneous group of children presents problems for research on this condition. "



On the other end of the spectrum are those individuals suffering form low functioning autism. Mental impairment/ retardation may be present.



"More Common Traits in Low Functioning / Severe Autism



鈥? Hand-wringing

鈥? Appearance of poorly coordinated manner of walking / stepping

鈥? Severely impaired expressive and receptive language development

鈥? Lack of or infrequent initiation

鈥? Lack of usual nonverbal gestures (i.e., pointing, head shake, nod)

鈥? Unable to control improper behavior

鈥? Avoids or uses eye contact in odd ways

鈥? Prefers to be alone

鈥? Inability to imitate (body movement, vocal, motor)

鈥? Engages in rhythmic body movements such as rocking, pacing, hand flapping, toe walking, spinning

鈥? Over- and under-sensitivity to sound, smell, touch, visual stimulus and pain

鈥? May not be seek physical comfort from parents/caregiver

鈥? Unusual display of emotion, for example, giggling or weeping for no apparent reason

鈥? Impulsive

鈥? Unwillingness

鈥? Aggressive behavior

鈥? Self-injurious behavior"



There is no cure for autism. Treatment includes early intervention in the form of occupational therapy, speech therapy and special education classes.