March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. One of the many ways you can observe this awareness month is by learning more about developmental disabilities. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of the most common development disorders, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. In this blog, we’re going to answer one of the most common questions we receive about ASD, “Are there different types of autism?” If you’re interested in learning more about ASD and how to best support the neurodiverse community, visit the website for Autism Level UP! This is a great resource to increase your awareness and challenge preconceptions about neurodiversity.
The Old “Types” Method of Assessing Autism Spectrum Disorder
As a field, psychology is always evolving. Practitioners and researchers are doing their best to understand the different ways our brains and bodies work. For decades, the field of psychology has recognized that ASD impacted people differently. In order to understand how ASD was impacting an individual, psychologists diagnosed people with different types of autism. Specifically, ASD might have been diagnosed as pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), Asperger’s syndrome, or Rhett’s disorder among others. This approach of categorizing individuals with ASD into specific types served the purpose of helping physicians, educators, and other parties understand the potential support and resource needs of the individual. Over time, it was determined that these specific types of ASD could be misleading and did not offer optimal personalized support and guidance that would be most beneficial for the individual. Furthermore, research did not support differentiating these types.
The New Personalized Method of Assessing Autism Spectrum Disorder
Because assessing different types of ASD was determined to be unhelpful and inaccurate, the field has moved away from diagnosing different types of ASD after the publishing of DSM-5 in 2013. Instead, we assess each person on an individual basis. We utilize testing batteries that are comprehensive and provide a clear picture of the individual’s abilities, aptitudes, intelligence, neurodevelopment, and a range of other variables that help us understand the whole person. Rather than focusing on confirming a specific diagnosis or trying to find a way to place unique individuals into boxes that might not fit them well, this approach to assessment allows us to more deeply understand the individual person, and most importantly, the results of these assessments allow us to help people increase their self-awareness and better understand the ways that ASD impacts them.
Interested In Learning More About ASD Assessment?
If you’re interested in learning more about ASD assessment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at Northern Colorado Assessment Center. Our knowledgeable assessment psychologists have training and experience offering ASD assessment for children as early as 18 months of age through adults of all ages.
