For a child to be classified as autistic, there are a few criteria for the symptoms to qualify. Sometimes it may so happen that the child may exhibit only a few symptoms associated with autism. This phenomenon has been classified as atypical autism and the child is classified, not completely autistic.
The improper symptoms exhibition may not lead to a proper diagnosis of autism in the child. So, is atypical autism different from autism?
Atypical Autism: Atypical autistics is a tough class to place people into. The term atypical autism denotes that the sufferer exhibits a few symptoms of autism but not all of them.
- Not all people classified as atypical autistics have to exhibit the same symptoms. Hence, the difficulty of classification and identification. It is also possible that no two people if identified with atypical autism would exhibit the same symptoms.
- Pervasive Development Disorder (PDD) is the most common symptom of atypical autism. Though there may a difference in exhibited symptoms, atypical autistic are broadly classified into three categories-
- Impairment of Language Development
- Impairment of Social Behaviour
- Impairment of Creative and Imaginative skills
- There is also a fourth possible category called, Dysfunctional Sensory Integration.
- Atypical patients may fall into any one above mentioned category or all the four categories. Nevertheless, the severity of symptoms would vary from person to person making it difficult to diagnose.
Difference Between an Atypical Autistic and Autistic: The main difference between the two can be spotted in the area of social communication.
- Autistic patients would not like interacting with people in a social environment and would prefer to remain solitary. He/she would show no interest in making friends. While an atypical autistic would want to socialize at least partially, although he/she lacks the understanding of verbal communication.
- Children with autism use sign language as an alternative to verbal communication and autistics actually find sign language much more easier. But, in atypical autism even the understanding of sign language may become tough as the understanding and grasping skills are much more weaker when compared to autistics.
So if you have been wondering, how is atypical autism different from autism, you have your answer. Atypical autism is a long-standing disorder with no proper treatment options and therapies available. Researchers from all over the world are still trying to study this disorder.
