What Are the Different Names for Autism

Spectrum Disorders?

By Lisa Jo Rudy

Autism Spectrum Disorders Expert

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Updated May 16, 2014.

Autism is a "spectrum disorder," meaning you can be a little autistic or very autistic. Until May,
2013, there were five "official" autism spectrum diagnoses,but the diagnoses within the autism
spectrum weren't clearly named, nor were the symptoms always the same even within the same
diagnosis. What's worse, terms like "severe autism," "mild autism" and "high functioning
autism" aren't true diagnoses at all - they're just descriptive terms to help parents and teachers
better understand a child's status on the autism spectrum.

Today, with the DSM-5, there is just one "autism spectrum disorder" -- and everyone is lumped
under that single diagnosis. But that doesn't mean we've stopped using the older or informal
terms! Welcome to the complex world of many autisms.

• What Is the Autism Spectrum?

The "autism spectrum" describes a set of developmental delays and disorders which affects
social and communication skills and, to a greater or lesser degree, motor and language skills. It is
such a broad diagnosis that it can include people with high IQ's and mental retardation - and
people with autism can be chatty or silent, affectionate or cold, methodical or disorganized. .

Until May, 2013, official diagnoses within the autism spectrum included autistic disorder,
pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), Asperger syndrome,
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett Syndrome. Today, there is just one Autism Spectrum
Disorder, with three levels of severity -- but many therapists, clinicians, parents and
organizations continue to use terms like PDD-NOS and Asperger syndrome. More »

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• What Are Pervasive Developmental Disorders?

"Pervasive Developmental Disorder" is a formal term that means exactly the same thing as
"autism spectrum disorder." You may hear this term from an evaluator or doctor, but you will
rarely hear it in a school or therapist's office. More »

• What Is Asperger Syndrome?

Asperger syndrome describes individuals at the highest-functioning end of the autism spectrum.
The term -- and the diagnosis -- was removed from the diagnostic manual in 2013, but virtually
everyone in the autism community continues to use it because of its usefulness in describing a
very specific group of people. People with Asperger syndrome generally develop spoken
language in the same way as typically developing children, but have a tough time with social
communication. These difficulties that become more obvious as they get older and social
expectations rise.; Because people with Asperger syndrome are often very intelligent - but
"quirky" - the disorder is sometimes nicknamed "geek syndrome" or "little professor syndrome."
More »

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• What Is Mild Autism?

The term "mild autism" is not an official diagnosis. It's simply a more descriptive term than
"Asperger syndrome" or "autism." Generally speaking, when people use the term mild autism
they are referring to individuals whose symptoms fit an autism spectrum diagnosis, but who has
strong verbal skills and few behavioral issues. Those individuals may, however, have significant
problems with social communication. They may also have problems coping with too much
sensory input (loud noise, bright lights, etc.). More »

• What Is High Functioning Autism?

Like "mild" autism, high functioning autism (sometimes shortened to HFA) is a made-up term
that's become more and more commonly used. HFA is a tricky term, because it can be hard to
distinguish a person with HFA from a person with Asperger syndrome. The official distinction is
that people with HFA had or have speech delays, while people with Asperger Syndrome have
normal speech development. But there may also be very real differences in terms of social
awareness, personality characteristics, and other traits. The jury is still debating the fine
distinctions. More »

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• What Is PDD-NOS?

"Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified" is a mouthful of words that are
often applied to people on the autism spectrum. It describes individuals who don't fully fit the
criteria for other specific diagnoses, but are nevertheless autistic. Because there is no easy way to
define the symptoms of PDD-NOS, which may range from very mild to very severe, the
diagnostic category no longer exists, though a new diagnosis, Social Communication Disorder,
may become a similar "catchall" category. The term PDD-NOS is rarely used outside of
practioners' offices: most parents, therapists and teachers prefer to use more descriptive (though
less official) terms to describe their children, students and patients with "most but not all
symptoms of autism." More »

• What Is Severe Autism?

Severe autism is not an official diagnosis; instead, it is a descriptive term along with profound
autism, low functioning autism, and classic autism. People with autistic disorder are often non-
verbal and intellectually disabled, and may have very challenging behaviors. More »

• What Is Rett Syndrome?

Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects only girls. It is the only one of the former autism
spectrum disorders that can be diagnosed medically (so far) -- and as of May, 2013 it is no longer
included in the Autism Spectrum. Girls with Rett syndrome develop severe symptoms including
the hallmark social communication challenges of autism. In addition, Rett syndrome can
profoundly impair girls' ability to use their hands usefully. More »

• What Is the Broad Autism Phenotype?

If Asperger syndrome is considered "mild" autism, then the broad autism phenotype includes
those people with the merest touch of autism. Is this really autism? Or just a personality type? As
with many issues related to autism, it depends on who you ask. More »

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