Are you asking for different classifications or levels of Autism ? If so there's an article regarding this right here on MAT and it's under the Resources category
The concept of "types of autism" is outdated as the current diagnostic criteria, DSM-5, categorizes autism into a spectrum, not distinct types. Previously, terms like Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), and Rett Syndrome were used, but these are no longer recognized. Instead, autism is now diagnosed based on the presence and severity of challenges in social communication and interaction, and the presence of repetitive behaviors or interests.
Here's a breakdown of the old terminology and the current approach:
Old Terminology:
Autistic Disorder (Classic Autism): This term was used to describe individuals with more significant challenges in social interaction and communication, and with more severe repetitive behaviors.
Asperger's Syndrome: This term was used to describe individuals with higher functioning autism, often with above-average intelligence and language abilities, but with challenges in social interaction and communication.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS): This term was used for individuals who didn't quite fit the criteria for Autistic Disorder or Asperger's Syndrome, but still had a range of autism-related symptoms.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD): This is a rare condition characterized by a significant loss of previously acquired skills after a period of normal development.
Rett Syndrome: This is a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects girls, causing a progressive loss of motor and language skills.
Current Approach (DSM-5):
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): The DSM-5 replaced the previous terms with a single diagnosis of ASD. Individuals are diagnosed based on the severity of their challenges in social communication and interaction, and the presence of repetitive behaviors or interests.
Levels of Support: The DSM-5 also introduced levels of support (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3) to indicate the severity of an individual's challenges and the amount of support they require.