Although around 1 in every 150 people in Australia have Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it still remains an often misunderstood condition. As a spectrum condition, it is nuanced in how it’s experienced by both the person with ASD and their parent or carer. Even the diagnosis itself can come with reactions that often demonstrate this. Either undue devastation and alarm, where the condition for the individual might actually be a lot more manageable (and even celebrated) than it’s given credit for, or assumptions it’s going to require a lot less work than they think. If you’re diagnosed with autism, or your child is, it’s important to concentrate very specifically on where on the ASD spectrum their diagnosis sits. However, we can broadly explain why ASD occurs, to help better understand the condition.
Why does Autism happen?
Autism is a neurological condition that presents, typically, through characteristic and repetitive behaviours that can create social and communication difficulties. Although symptoms are often seen in early childhood, there are many people who aren’t diagnosed until adulthood.
With ASD, the brain reduces its hyperconnectivity, changing the structure of local brain regions that produce common symptoms such as cognitive issues and heightened sensory responses. The condition scales depending on how the brain is affected in the individual, and ranges on a spectrum from high-functioning autism, to severe autism.
ASD can occur in any prone person regardless of racial or ethnic background, and over all socioeconomic sectors. However, data shows that significantly more boys are diagnosed with ASD than girls.
What is the spectrum?
This is the term referring to the scale of severity of autism, and the symptoms, skills and function of how it presents in an individual. Some people with autism may not find out until much later in life, or even not at all, based on sitting in the ‘high-functioning’ end of the spectrum. Instead believing that the symptoms are just small personality quirks. Which isn’t inaccurate, and is part of what can make autism a gift. Usually when someone in this category is diagnosed it’s because some of these quirks became detrimental or difficult to their day to day life and help was sought.
There are five types of ASD that sit on this spectrum
Level 1 Autism
This was commonly referred to as Asperger’s Syndrome, and is identified in those with ASD who experience higher than average intelligence and verbal communication skills, though may find social interaction challenging. The symptoms you will likely see are:
- Inflexible thoughts/behaviours
- Difficulties focussing on a new activity once moving on from another
- Difficulty or inability to express emotions in speech, or will imitate tone of voice to fit an environment
- Trouble interacting with peers
Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)
PDD-NOS is low on the spectrum, and can present with a range of symptoms, typically social and verbal communication issues. Children can experience delays in language, walking and movement, though it is not distinctly noticeable. Those with PDD-NOS can usually expect to be a high functioning person living with autism, and may even find their unique communication style (likely a little more straight forward or blunt, without rude intentions) an asset through life.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
Also known as Heller’s syndrome or disintegrative psychosis, this affects language, social interactions and motor skills. This often shows up in a child around aged three, though can be up to 10 years old. 9 out of 10 children with CDD are boys, and the symptoms can show up quickly and without warning (the child may have been meeting ‘normal’ milestones up to the point of symptoms developing). The common symptoms are:
- Loss of toileting skills, even if already developed
- Loss of vocabulary
- Loss of social skills
- Loss of motor skills
Kanner’s Syndrome
This is often seen as ‘classic’ autism, with the symptoms that many people often point at for the condition. This includes:
- Emotional detachment from others
- Communication difficulties
- Obsessive compulsive behaviours
- Heightened or extreme sensory sensitivity including to sounds, light, touch, smell and even taste.
Rett Syndrome
This is a rarer condition on the ASD spectrum and is evident in infancy. This is the one condition, however, that is more prevalent in girls. It is reasonably high on the spectrum, and offers a lot of challenges to the child and the carer, however with care the child can live a happy and productive life. Symptoms include:
- Loss of coordination or movement
- Significant communication and speech issues
- Breathing difficulties.
Autism is not a singular diagnosis or experience for a child or adult, and is extremely nuanced in how it is experienced. It’s incredibly important to obtain an accurate and thorough diagnosis from a qualified expert, and have a clear understanding of how to best navigate through life with this diagnosis.
Read more on our services for ASD clients.