Introduction
The term atypical autism was first used in 1994 in DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the fourth edition), a textbook reference that medical professionals use to identify and diagnose mental disorders. This manual classified atypical autism as a subgroup of the autism diagnosis as all the symptoms of autism do not become definite criteria for atypical autism. Autism atypical, also called Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), is the mildest form of autism or subthreshold autism that does not include all the symptoms of autism but two or three criteria to specify atypical autism, mainly is characterized by impaired communication and socialization skills. The Pervasive Developmental Disorders categories include
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Autistic disorder or severe autism.
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Asperger syndrome.
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Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD).
What Are The Symptoms Of Atypical Autism?
Autism mainly affects three dimensions:
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Verbal and non-verbal communication.
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Social behavior.
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Flexible thinking and behavior.
Juveniles diagnosed with atypical autism share the majority of the features of autism. Usually, they portray milder developmental and social uncertainties and less stereotypical autistic behaviors than their peers in the autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Unsuitable or Distinctive Social Behavior:
Children with atypical autism may encounter difficulties socializing with other children and communicating in socially appropriate manners, such as driving eye contact or letting another individual take a turn in a conversation.
1. Irregular Motor Development:
Most autistic children with atypical autism have at least some motor complications. These incorporate
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Gross motor skills crises that cause poor balance and coordination.
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Fine motor issues cause manipulating objects and poor handwriting.
2. Delayed Cognitive Development:
Juniors with atypical autism frequently impact the areas that construct the cognitive thinking and developmental aspects of an individual are:
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Challenging to pay attention or to stay focused.
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Challenging for a child to transition in a particular situation or subject.
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Difficulties in retaining memories or memorizing things.
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Difficulties in time management.
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Unable to control the emotional aspect.
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Need help communicating with others and understanding other people's perspectives.
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Impacting learning and development skills of a child.
3. Slow Development of Speech and Language Comprehension:
Learning and using language is more challenging to autistic children than typically developing children because they are often more attentive to what is happening around them than communicating with others. Thus they need to improve in developing and understanding language skills and need help expressing themselves.
4. Verbal and Nonverbal Communication Issues:
An atypical autistic child is characterized by a communication insufficiency that may epitomize an abnormal speech pattern, poor grammatical structure, and lack of intonation and rhythm.
5. Sensitivity to Sensations like Taste, Sight, Sound, Smell, and Tactile:
Around 90 % of autistic children have extreme sensory sensitivity or barely notice sensations related to colors, sounds, or smells.
6. Repetitive or Ritualistic Behaviors:
Youngsters with atypical autism exhibit repetitive behaviors, such as hand flapping, rocking, and tapping. Replicating certain motions, movements, or phrases is a soothing activity autistic kids use to feel a sense of control in stressful situations.
Other Symptoms:
A range of symptoms of atypical autism are:
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Lack of sympathy or conveying emotions to others.
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Unable to form age-appropriate peer friendships.
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Hardship in maintaining a conversation.
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Absence of meaningful language.
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Intense interest in a specific subject area, such as trains, machines, or animals.
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Abnormal likes and dislikes.
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Absence of symbolic and pretend play.
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Lack of interest or difficulty being attentive.
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Uneven skill development, like normal development in some areas and delays in others.
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The problem is accepting changes.
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Diagnosing Atypical Autism.
What Are The Diagnosis Of The Atypical Autism?
Technically, mental health professionals will better rule out the sign to define autism spectrum disorder (ASD), provide a treatment plan for the specific hindrance, and improve the quality of life. Signs and symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can become evident at an early age and be diagnosed around three years old, though they can be diagnosed younger. The parents must keep an eye out for symptoms such as slow speech and nonverbal communication development, mild cognitive delays, lack of eye contact, a lack of response to one’s name, and more, which can help you detect autism early.
What Are the Treatment Plans for Subthreshold Autism?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for autism, but experts have the best ways to manage symptoms and help to develop independence skills and improve living. The standard treatment for autism spectrum disorder includes behavioral and developmental therapies and speech or language therapies associated with occupational and physical therapies.
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Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA):
This is the most successful interventional therapy for autism, with a 90 % improvement rate, which is a type of behavioral therapy that targets changeable negative thoughts and behaviors and reinforces them with a positive one, which leads to building and improving social and communication abilities in a child.
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Play Therapy:
This is the best therapy for youngsters to teach and develop skills. Play is considered a childhood language that incorporates ideas and diversifies personalities in every aspect to determine the child's future better. Various types of play therapy can teach the autistic child.
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Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT):
PRT is a play-based approach that ensues ABA practices, focusing on broader areas, including self-management, response to multiple cues, motivation, and initiation of social interactions, and helps juniors to make comprehensive improvements in social skills and communication.
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Discrete Trial Training (DTT):
DTT is an applied behavior analysis (ABA) based, more structured technique than PRT, where skill is split into smaller pieces. While teaching a child with ASD to write their name, a DTT technique emphasizes breaking the process down using alphabetic letters by letter, and each formed letter can be split down into a stroke-by-stroke method. Thus the method helps the child to develop positive reinforcement.
Conclusion
Autism spectrum disorder is like an umbrella to cover the different types of developmental disputes. Atypical autism encompasses various symptoms and abilities, but it should be recognized that every autistic person is unique and not limited within its boundaries. With everyday advances and researchers, many methods, approaches, and options made autistic children improve and encouraged them to live without limits.
