Types of Autism in Children
The most prominent types of autism in children include the following:
- Asperger’s Syndrome: Now known as Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder. A child with this type of autism typically has above-average intelligence and strong verbal and language skills but faces difficulties with social relationships and communication.
- Rett Syndrome: A rare neurodevelopmental disorder that usually appears during infancy. It negatively affects most aspects of a child’s life, with symptoms such as:
- Loss of balance and motor coordination.
- Difficulty speaking and communicating with others.
- Breathing problems (in some cases).
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD): Also known as Heller’s Syndrome or Disintegrative Psychosis. It is characterized by a child developing normally at first and then regressing between ages 3–10 in areas such as:
- Language.
- Motor skills.
- Communication abilities.
- Kanner’s Syndrome: Symptoms include:
- Inability to form emotional connections with others.
- Difficulty communicating and interacting with others.
- Lack of speech control.
- Obsession with holding objects.
- Excellent memory and spatial visual skills, but severe difficulty learning in other areas.
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS): A mild form of autism characterized by problems with speech and language, and communication difficulties. Children may also experience delays in motor development such as walking.
How to Treat Autism
The best treatment approach depends on the type and symptoms of autism. Current therapies aim to reduce symptoms and help individuals live productive, normal lives. The most common treatment methods include:
- Behavioral Approaches: Focus on understanding the triggers and consequences of problematic behavior to control and reduce it.
- Developmental Approaches: Aim to improve deficient skills such as language and motor abilities.
- Educational Approaches: Used in classroom settings where the teacher adapts the environment to suit the child’s learning needs, often using visual aids.
- Social Relationship Approaches: Focus on improving the child’s social interaction and building healthy relationships, typically involving parents and caregivers.
- Medication: Used only to manage certain symptoms such as:
- Hyperactivity.
- Inability to focus.
- Self-harming behavior.
- Alternative Therapies: These include practices such as meditation. You can learn more about different types of meditation and listen to related podcasts by downloading the Tawazon app.
