Autism Classification

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an increasingly popular term that refers to a broad definition of autism, including the classical form of the disorder as well as closely related disabilities that share many of the core characteristics.

People who suffer from an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) form a diverse group. No two people suffering from ASD are the same. Just like all people, people suffering from ASD are unique. They have their own personalities, temperaments, experiences, limitations and qualities. While one might make eye contact, another will not. One might sit still for hours on end in a corner of a room; another might seek contact with people in an easygoing manner.

To use a uniform terminology, experts all over the world try to use the same classification system, encompassing all disorders and symptoms of mental illness. For psychiatric disorders experts use The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM is published by The American Psychological Association (http://www.apa.org). The DSM Classification system is based on mutual agreement between scientists and practitioners. Because the psychiatric field is very dynamic this classification system is updated regularly. Since 1994, the fourth edition of The DSM (DSM-IV) has been in use. In the meantime the DSM-IV-TR (2000) has released. The DSM-IV-TR does not supply us with a re-editing of the criteria, but gives an updated text related to the different disorders.

The diagnosis of autism can’t be made by any clinical research like laboratory research (blood tests), scanning (MRI) or hereditary research (chromosomes). Autism remains a diagnosis based on subjective information.

Classifying is not the same as diagnosing. However, it can be an important aspect of making a diagnosis.

In daily practice different names for the disorder of people suffering from ASD can be found:
• Autism
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Disorder of Asperger
• Multiplex Development Disorder or Multiple (Complex) Development Disorder (M(C)DD)
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

All these different names belong to the autism spectrum. When an “Autism Spectrum Disorder” is mentioned, one of these forms is referred to.

Internationally, “Pervasive Development Disorder” is often used, as well as the name “Autism Disorders Spectrum.”

Lorna Wing, an autism researcher, came up with a different classification that concerns the manner in which people with ASD behave. She distinguishes:
• Aloof group
• Passive group
• Active but odd group
• Over-formal, stilted group

The aloof group: Behavior may include: Behaving as if other people do not exist; Little or no eye contact made; No response when spoken to; Faces empty of expression except with extreme joy, anger or distress; No response to cuddling; If something is wanted, a person’s hand may be pulled towards the object; May respond to rough and tumble play well, but when this stops, returns to aloof pattern; Seem to ‘be in a world of their own.’

The passive group features include: The child willingly accepts social approaches; May meet the gaze of others; May become involved as a passive part of a game.

The active but odd group. Children of this group make active approaches to others but make that contact in strange ways, including: Paying no attention to the other party; Poor eye contact although sometimes may stare too long; May hug or shake hands too hard.

The over-formal, stilted group. Seen in later life, this behavior is common in the most able person with autism. The following characteristics tend to be displayed: Excessively polite and formal; Have a good level of language; Try very hard to stick to the rules of social interaction without really understanding them.

Behavior of people suffering from ASD can differ from context to context. For instance at home, in a safe environment, somebody might be “active but odd” and at school “aloof.” During the course of one’s lifetime different emphasis on one of the groups may occur. Lorna Wing does not look upon these groups as easy to distinguish and unchangeable.

Autism Classification
Autism Diagnose
Autism Checklist
Autism Books
Aspergers Checklist