This is specifically for several people who have asked…
Is it autism? Asperger’s? How to tell the difference [Times Herald Record]
Autism spectrum disorders fall into a category of conditions called pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), which are characterized by delayed communication and social skills. Some of the disorders on the spectrum include:
- Autism: The most commonly diagnosed PDD, autism makes it very difficult for a person to communicate, form relationships and interact with others. Unusual and repetitive behavior is normally present. Symptoms of autism can vary from mild to severe.
- Asperger’s syndrome: Sometimes referred to as a high-functioning condition, children with this often have above-average IQs but lack social skills. They may also have an obsessive interest in a topic and display repetitive behavior. There are no clinically significant delays in language.
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified: These children exhibit some symptoms of autism or another developmental disorder, but don’t fall into any particular category.
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder: These children appear to develop normally until about the ages of 2-4, when regression starts to occur. Skills learned prior to the regression are lost.
- Rett’s syndrome: Occurring only in females, it involves a period of normal development and then a loss of previously acquired skills. Normal use of hands is replaced with repetitive hand motions from ages 1-4.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, The Children’s Annex of Kingston and Ellenville.
via a daily Google alert for “Asperger’s”