Understanding the Different Types of Autism

If you or a loved one is diagnosed with autism, it can be difficult to understand the condition. This can be especially true if you aren’t familiar with the different types of autism and how they are categorized today.

Originally, the medical community categorized autism into five different types of disorders. Then, in 2013, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) changed its guidelines and only defined one type of autism called ASD, or Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Obsessive behaviors are a common feature of autism, and many children with autism also have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These can be as simple as repeatedly touching or washing certain objects or as complex as being obsessed with things like germs.

The stim is often done for a positive purpose, such as when an autistic person touches their fingers repeatedly on a table to relax or to stimulate their senses. It’s a non-emotional, self-soothing way to deal with boredom or anxiety, but it can be a compulsion in the case of OCD.

In OCD, these compulsions are triggered by the thought of danger or harm. These thoughts indicate that a person feels out of control or unable to face what they fear. Treatment to reduce OCD symptoms can help these individuals break the link between obsessions and compulsions.

Repetitive behaviors are the most common and difficult behavior in people with autism. These may be extreme or subtle, including repetitive hand flapping, body movements, or vocalizations. Some researchers believe these behaviors are important in autistic people, helping them manage stress and anxiety. However, they can also lead to social problems and physical harm if they are intense enough or self-injurious.

The best way to help reduce repetitive behaviors is to find the root cause of the behavior, which could be stress or fear. This can be done by asking the person what is causing them to do this and helping them understand how to cope with their feelings better.

Social interaction challenges are a core symptom of autism. They can be frustrating for individuals and can affect their quality of life. They can include difficulty initiating a conversation, understanding facial expressions, and responding to others in a social setting. They can also lead to anxiety and reduced interest in socializing.

Some strategies can help people with autism learn how to communicate more effectively and develop their social skills. For example, social narratives help break down abstract concepts more concretely and visually.

They can also support a person in identifying and managing different emotions. They can also highlight what has been said in a conversation and people’s intentions.

According to Winter-Messiers, these special interests can provide significant benefits to autistic people, even if they present challenges and difficulties. She suggests that teachers and therapists help these children leverage their special interests to improve classroom performance, social skills, academic task mastery, and coping abilities.

In their study, Gunn and Delafield-Butt found that the Adaptive Coping scale was significantly correlated with the BASC-2 Leadership subscale, which measures “skills associated with accomplishing academic, social, or community goals, including the ability to work with others” (Reynolds and Kamphaus, 2004).

The Adaptive Coping factor is orthogonal to the Perseveration and Social Flexibility factors. If a restricted interest has few negative aspects (high Perseveration) but many positive ones (high AC), it may be worth addressing it with an appropriate treatment plan that acknowledges both elements.