Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAtypical Autism TraitsDiagnostic ChallengesTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Atypical Autism Traits
Diagnostic Challenges
Treatment
Coping
Prior to 2013, there were five separate diagnoses that existed on the autism spectrum. One of them was called pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).It is now known asatypical autism, autistic tendencies, or autistic traits in people with the diagnosis.The five subtypes were folded into a single diagnosis ofautism spectrum disorder(ASD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published in 2013. This includes an assessment of autism traits to describe an individual’s support needs, sometimes defined as functional levels known aslevel 1, 2, or 3.This article briefly explains autism traits associated with this ASD diagnosis and how healthcare providers arrive at it. It also offers ideas on how to access quality care and resources for people living with ASD.Cultura / Sigrid Gombert Collection / Riser / Getty ImagesAtypical Autism TraitsThe traits of atypical autism tend to be milder than many autistic people will experience. As with all types of ASD, atypical autism likely includes difficulties with social communication. The challenges may be related to or expressed as:Atypical or inappropriate social behaviorDifferences with fine or large motor skills, visual or spatial organization, or cognitive skillsDelays in speech or language comprehensionDifficulty with transitionsLimitations with nonverbal and/or verbal communicationIncreased or decreased sensitivities to taste, sight, sound, smell and/or touchRepetitive or ritualistic behaviorsChildren with atypical autism, like those with any form of ASD, can have a wide range of intellectual and verbal abilities. They also may have traits that lead to more support needs in one area, perhaps communication, but don’t experience all other challenges, like repetitive behaviors.Common and Unusual Autism TraitsDiagnostic ChallengesPDD-NOS was essentially a diagnosis of exclusion, a “catchall” term used for people who were on the autism spectrum but didn’t fully meet the criteria for another autistic condition in use at the time. The category was so general and so vague that it told parents, therapists, and teachers very little. A PDD-NOS diagnosis could mean virtually anything.The later approach introduced in the DSM-5 may offer more insight. One study found that roughly a third (32%) of prior PDD-NOS diagnoses actually fit a diagnosis ofsocial communication disorder.There is no simple test used to diagnose atypical autism. Healthcare providers assess the skills and behaviors of someone who may have this form of ASD. They rely on parents and teachers who observe a child when deciding on a diagnosis, or similar information when dealing with an adult.Atypical autism, formerly called PDD-NOS, is often a mild form of autism. Like others living with an ASD diagnosis, people may experience challenges with speech or skills. Many will have problems with social communication or behavior. An autism evaluation will help to determine the diagnosis and next steps for treatment. Be sure that the healthcare provider you choose has experience with and knowledge of autism spectrum disorders.TreatmentMany of the recommendedtreatmentsfor people with ASD are likely to be very similar, even though each case is unique. Therapy is an important part of treatment and may include:Speech therapyOccupational therapyPhysical therapySocial skills therapyIn some cases, appropriate medication may be used to help people with specific traits of atypical autism. While there is no cure, these treatments may be of great benefit to a child’s development, or for an adult with ASD as they move forward with improved quality of life.How Autism Is TreatedCopingPeople with atypical autism who benefit from treatment will still have challenges in life. It’s one reason for why they and the people close to them should have access to books, support groups, professional autism organizations, and other sources of support. These may include:Autism SocietyAutistic Self Advocacy Network(ASAN)Autism Network International(ANI)SummarySince 2013, people who were once diagnosed as having a PDD-NOS autism disorder are now placed in the overall autism spectrum disorder (ASD) category. The PDD-NOS diagnosis is most often called atypical autism, autistic tendencies, or autistic traits in a person.In most cases, the autism traits are mild but include the same social communication and other issues found generally in people with ASD. Therapy and other treatments may be the same as those used to help others with mild forms of ASD. Your healthcare provider can guide you through a process of diagnosing and treating the disease.
Prior to 2013, there were five separate diagnoses that existed on the autism spectrum. One of them was called pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).It is now known asatypical autism, autistic tendencies, or autistic traits in people with the diagnosis.
The five subtypes were folded into a single diagnosis ofautism spectrum disorder(ASD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published in 2013. This includes an assessment of autism traits to describe an individual’s support needs, sometimes defined as functional levels known aslevel 1, 2, or 3.
This article briefly explains autism traits associated with this ASD diagnosis and how healthcare providers arrive at it. It also offers ideas on how to access quality care and resources for people living with ASD.
Cultura / Sigrid Gombert Collection / Riser / Getty Images
The traits of atypical autism tend to be milder than many autistic people will experience. As with all types of ASD, atypical autism likely includes difficulties with social communication. The challenges may be related to or expressed as:
Children with atypical autism, like those with any form of ASD, can have a wide range of intellectual and verbal abilities. They also may have traits that lead to more support needs in one area, perhaps communication, but don’t experience all other challenges, like repetitive behaviors.
Common and Unusual Autism Traits
PDD-NOS was essentially a diagnosis of exclusion, a “catchall” term used for people who were on the autism spectrum but didn’t fully meet the criteria for another autistic condition in use at the time. The category was so general and so vague that it told parents, therapists, and teachers very little. A PDD-NOS diagnosis could mean virtually anything.
The later approach introduced in the DSM-5 may offer more insight. One study found that roughly a third (32%) of prior PDD-NOS diagnoses actually fit a diagnosis ofsocial communication disorder.
There is no simple test used to diagnose atypical autism. Healthcare providers assess the skills and behaviors of someone who may have this form of ASD. They rely on parents and teachers who observe a child when deciding on a diagnosis, or similar information when dealing with an adult.
Atypical autism, formerly called PDD-NOS, is often a mild form of autism. Like others living with an ASD diagnosis, people may experience challenges with speech or skills. Many will have problems with social communication or behavior. An autism evaluation will help to determine the diagnosis and next steps for treatment. Be sure that the healthcare provider you choose has experience with and knowledge of autism spectrum disorders.
Many of the recommendedtreatmentsfor people with ASD are likely to be very similar, even though each case is unique. Therapy is an important part of treatment and may include:
In some cases, appropriate medication may be used to help people with specific traits of atypical autism. While there is no cure, these treatments may be of great benefit to a child’s development, or for an adult with ASD as they move forward with improved quality of life.
How Autism Is Treated
People with atypical autism who benefit from treatment will still have challenges in life. It’s one reason for why they and the people close to them should have access to books, support groups, professional autism organizations, and other sources of support. These may include:
Summary
Since 2013, people who were once diagnosed as having a PDD-NOS autism disorder are now placed in the overall autism spectrum disorder (ASD) category. The PDD-NOS diagnosis is most often called atypical autism, autistic tendencies, or autistic traits in a person.
In most cases, the autism traits are mild but include the same social communication and other issues found generally in people with ASD. Therapy and other treatments may be the same as those used to help others with mild forms of ASD. Your healthcare provider can guide you through a process of diagnosing and treating the disease.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.About Autism.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical testing and diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder.Kim YS, Fombonne E, Koh YJ, Kim SJ, Cheon KA, Leventhal BL.A comparison of DSM-IV pervasive developmental disorder and DSM-5 autism spectrum disorder prevalence in an epidemiologic sample. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014;53(5):500-8.Additional ReadingKing, B. H., Navot, N., Bernier, R., & Webb, S. J. (2014).Update on Diagnostic Classification in Autism.Current Opinion in Psychiatry,27(2), 105–109. http://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000040
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.About Autism.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical testing and diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder.Kim YS, Fombonne E, Koh YJ, Kim SJ, Cheon KA, Leventhal BL.A comparison of DSM-IV pervasive developmental disorder and DSM-5 autism spectrum disorder prevalence in an epidemiologic sample. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014;53(5):500-8.Additional ReadingKing, B. H., Navot, N., Bernier, R., & Webb, S. J. (2014).Update on Diagnostic Classification in Autism.Current Opinion in Psychiatry,27(2), 105–109. http://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000040
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.About Autism.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical testing and diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder.Kim YS, Fombonne E, Koh YJ, Kim SJ, Cheon KA, Leventhal BL.A comparison of DSM-IV pervasive developmental disorder and DSM-5 autism spectrum disorder prevalence in an epidemiologic sample. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014;53(5):500-8.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.About Autism.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Clinical testing and diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder.
Kim YS, Fombonne E, Koh YJ, Kim SJ, Cheon KA, Leventhal BL.A comparison of DSM-IV pervasive developmental disorder and DSM-5 autism spectrum disorder prevalence in an epidemiologic sample. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014;53(5):500-8.
King, B. H., Navot, N., Bernier, R., & Webb, S. J. (2014).Update on Diagnostic Classification in Autism.Current Opinion in Psychiatry,27(2), 105–109. http://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000040
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