The forms of autism overlap considerably. There is wide variation in symptoms among children with autism which led to the concept of Autism spectrum disorder.

The number of children diagnosed with autism appears to be increasing and now autism spectrum disorders affect between two and six children out of every 1,000 in the U.S. This growing incidence however may be due to better detection of this disorder.

Autism spectrum disorders affect a child’s communications skills and their ability to interact with others. Early diagnosis is important as early treatment can enable a child with autism gain improved language and social skills.

Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorders affect three different areas of a child's life:

• social interaction
• communication (nonverbal and/or verbal)
• repetitive behaviors or interests

Children with an autism spectrum disorder will have their own individual pattern of autism. The development of a child with an autism spectrum disorder can be delayed from birth, or they may initially develop normally before suddenly losing social or language skills. In some children, a loss of language is the impairment. In others, ritualistic behaviors like spending hours lining up toys predominate.

Although parents are usually the first to notice something is wrong they often tend to downplay it and hope it is just a phase or trivial delay in development. Unfortunately this leads to delays in the diagnosis of autism. Children with a suspected autism spectrum disorder should be evaluated as early as possible to ensure that their communication and social interaction skills are remediated during early childhood before they are required to attend school. A child suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder should by a professional team with experience in diagnosing autism.

There are three main forms of autism spectrum disorder, and two rare, severe autistic-like conditions:

• Asperger's syndrome
• pervasive developmental disorder, no spectrum t otherwise specified ( PDD-NOS)
• autistic disorder
• Rett syndrome
• childhood disintegrative disorder

The ADD Wellness Group has the resources to treat clients with the two highest functioning forms of an autism spectrum disorder namely Asperger’s Syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. The more severe forms of the autism spectrum require centers specializing in this treatment. 

 Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger’s Syndrome is the mildest form of autism, which affects boys three times more often than girls. Children with Asperger's syndrome become obsessively interested in a single object or topic. They often learn all about their preferred subject, and discuss it nonstop. Their social skills are markedly impaired, and they are often awkward and uncoordinated physically.

Because Asperger's syndrome is mild compared to other autism spectrum disorders, some doctors call it "high-functioning autism."Anxiety and depression are a high risk for children with Asperger's syndrome when they enter young adulthood.

Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

The majority of children with an autistic spectrum disorder are diagnosed with PDD-NOS. Children whose autism is more severe than Asperger's syndrome but not as severe as autistic disorder are diagnosed with PDD-NOS.

Autism symptoms in kids with PDD-NOS vary widely, making it hard to generalize. Overall, compared to children with other autistic spectrum disorders, children with PDD-NOS have:

• impairment in social interaction
• better language skills than children with autistic disorder, but not as good as those with Asperger's syndrome
• fewer repetitive behaviors than children with Asperger's syndrome or autistic disorder
• a later age of onset

However, no two children with PDD-NOS are exactly alike in their symptoms and there are no agreed-upon criteria for diagnosing PDD-NOS. In effect, if a child seems autistic to professional evaluators but doesn't meet all the criteria for autistic disorder, they diagnose PDD-NOS.