Atypical autism, also known as PDD-NOS, is a diagnosis for children who display some autistic symptoms but not all. It is often diagnosed at an older age than autism and has a genetic basis. Common traits include social interaction difficulties, language development problems, and a preference for routine. Treatment with behavior therapy can have a positive effect on symptoms.
Atypical autism is a diagnosis given to children who have some autistic symptoms but do not display all of the traits necessary for an autism diagnosis. These types of cases, especially the milder forms, tend to be diagnosed at an older age than autism. Furthermore, although these individuals usually experience some form of impairment, their overall life skills are often more developed than people who fully meet the diagnostic criteria for autism.
There is no established cause of autism and atypical autism. People who are closely related to affected individuals have a higher than expected incidence of these disorders. This suggests a genetic basis, but there are clearly other factors at play. While there are many theories about environmental causes of autism, such as childhood vaccines and toxins such as pesticides, there is little scientific evidence for either of these factors.
The diagnosis of atypical autism is another name for Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). Due to the strong overlap of this disorder’s symptoms with autism, however, it is commonly referred to as atypical autism rather than PDD-NOS. Although the symptoms and severity of atypical autism can vary widely from person to person, there are usually some commonalities.
A common trait is the reduced ability to interact socially with others. Some people with this disorder may have little or no interest in socializing and may not even attempt to communicate with other people. Others may crave social interaction, but don’t know how to communicate effectively.
People with this disorder often have trouble understanding nonverbal cues or language that shouldn’t be taken literally. They often don’t know how to react appropriately to the emotions of others. These factors often lead to uncomfortable social interactions, thereby reinforcing the tendency for people with atypical autism to prefer solitude.
Another common trait of people with atypical autism is a problem with language development. They usually display limited speech and may have a much smaller vocabulary than other children of the same age group. Sometimes a child will start to show normal language development which will suddenly start to deteriorate.
Other possible symptoms of this disorder include having to stick to a strict schedule and possible outbursts if this schedule is not adhered to. People with this disorder may have unusual reactions to certain colors, sounds, or smells due to difficulty handling sensory information. They may have a strong preference for a specific type of color or food and often have difficulty managing any variation from this.
Some people with this disorder have mild symptoms and may be able to lead relatively normal lives. These individuals are generally referred to as “high functioning”. Others may be quite impaired and have difficulty with daily functions and may need to live with a family member or in a care facility. While there is no known cure for autism or atypical autism, individual or group behavior therapy often has a positive effect on symptoms.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
