Atypical autism is a neuropsychiatric disorder of the autism spectrum (ASD), which is caused by structural abnormalities of the brain and is characterized by atypical manifestations. Classical RAS (Kanner syndrome) is diagnosed in children up to 3 years old, while the symptomatology of atypical forms is blurred and manifests itself at older ages – preschoolers, junior high school students. In rare cases, the disorder debuts in adolescents.
RAS affects three areas of higher nervous activity:
- Communication;
- Social interaction;
- Behavior, flexibility of thinking.
Diagnosis and symptoms
Typically, children with this diagnosis exhibit less stereotypical autistic behavior than their peers with Kanner syndrome. The following symptoms are most common:
- Uneven psychomotor development – poor coordination, balance, fine motor skills;
- Unusual social behavior – withdrawal, inability to maintain a conversation, avoidance of eye contact, lack of empathy;
- Cognitive dysfunction – problems with concentration, memory, intelligence, orientation in time and space, emotional control;
- Slow development of speech and acquisition of native language;
- Problems with verbal and nonverbal communication – patients with atypical RAS are characterized by communication deficits manifested as unusual speech patterns, poor grammatical structure, monotonous intonation;
- Sensation disorder – increased (hyperesthesia) or decreased (hypoesthesia) sensitivity to taste, sight, sound, smell, and tactile sensations;
- Repetitive or ritualistic behavior – autistic children may repeat certain gestures, actions, or words to calm themselves, to feel in control in stressful situations;
- Commitment to consistency – autistic children have difficulty accepting changes in routines, they tend to choose the same food, clothing, and route for outings.
The examination explores:
- Developmental abnormality;
- Severity of psychotic symptoms;
- Manifestation of the disorder without reference to early age;
- Presence of stereotypies (aimless repetitive movements), signs of impaired social interaction;
- Absence of all diagnostic criteria for childhood autism.