The Spectrum

Diagnostic terms can be confusing. The following may assist those wishing to distinguish between the terms used and how they may apply.

AUTISM
In Autism the impairments in the social and communication areas are generally severe and sustained and present before the age of three years. The child is often anxious, has poor attention and motivation, responds unusually to many different stimuli and is very 'different' from other children. The child may also be intellectually delayed.

HIGH FUNCTION AUTISM (HFA)
HFA is a loosely used term to describe a child/adult who meets the criteria for a diagnosis of Autism, but is not as severely affected as the more classically autistic child.

ASPERGERS SYNDROME
In Aspergers Syndrome there are severe and sustained social impairments, but impairments are not as severe in the communication area. The impairments seem more subtle in the very young child and become more apparent as the child reaches pre-school and school age. The Asperger child/adult is usually in the normal intelligence range.

PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER - Not otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) or A-TYPICAL AUTISM
PDD-NOS is used for children who show characteristics of Autism but not sufficiently severe to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of Autism or Aspergers Syndrome. These children require the same intervention approaches used for children with Autism or Aspergers Syndrome but generally not as intensive or sustained.

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
ASD is used because there is a great variation from person to person depending on severity and combination of each area of impairment. At one end of the spectrum, diagnostic labels such as "Aspergers Syndrome", "High Functioning Autism" and "PDD-NOS" are used. At the other end of the spectrum you will find labels such as "Autism" and "Classic Autism".

CO-MORBID CONDITIONS
Autism Spectrum Disorder may also co-exist with other conditions or disorders including intellectual disability, speech and language disorders, anxiety disorders, Tourette Syndrome, Dyslexia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), epilepsy, attention disorders and Down Syndrome.

Sources
Coffs Coast Autism Information Package

Autism Victoria's "Autism Information Package"
http://www.autismvictoria.org.au