Williams Syndrome (also known as Williams-Beuren syndrome) is a rare genetics disorder in which a portion of DNA material on chromosome 7 is missing. The prevalence in the population is somewhere between 1 out of 10,000. Many people with Williams Syndrome exhibit autistic behaviors.
There are other brain disorders that mimic autism symptoms, like ADHD and anxiety disorders, including selective mutism. Autism can be misdiagnosed as another disorder with some shared symptoms.
The symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome are now included in a condition called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is now the name used for a wide range of autism-like disorders. Some providers may still use the term Asperger's Syndrome, but others will say “ASD – without intellectual or language impairment.”
Kanner's Syndrome
This type of autism is also known as Classic Autistic Disorder, and its symptoms can include challenges communicating or understanding others, engaging in virtually no eye contact, and a hypersensitivity to stimuli (smell, light, noise, taste, or touch).
Williams syndrome is a rare (affecting 1 in 10,000 people) developmental disorder that can affect many parts of the body, including the heart and blood vessels. Children with Williams syndrome have mild to moderate intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, and an outgoing personality.
People with the BAP have some traits common to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but not enough to have the disorder. But it's not comedians who have drawn scientific scrutiny for having the BAP: it's the parents and siblings of people who actually have autism.
Population-based studies have found that, in addition to the individuals with ASD, many others exhibit subthreshold autistic or autisticlike traits (ALTs), that is, problems or peculiarities in sociocommunicative behavior, perception of others and self, and adaptation to the environment that do not meet formal criteria ...
Hyperlexia is often, but not always, part of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In some ways Williams syndrome is the opposite of autism. For example, people with Williams syndrome love to talk and tell stories, whereas those with autism usually have language delay and little imagination. Many people with Williams syndrome draw disjointed pictures, some with autism draw pictures in perfect detail.
The traits or signs of hypernumeracy. An intense fascination with numbers and math. Doing maths at a level that is higher than what's expected for their age level and is self-taught. Thinking in numbers and attempting to quantify everything.
A new study challenges the theory that autism is largely passed down from mothers. In fact, siblings who are both diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) seem to get a larger portion of their DNA from their father.
1 While it is possible to be mildly autistic, it takes more than a few quirks to warrant the diagnosis. If this describes you or someone you know, you may wonder if this is the same as having autism, and if it's possible that many people are "a little autistic." The quick and simple answer to this question is "no."
It is a spectrum disorder, meaning there is a broad variation in the types and severity of symptoms. No two people with ASD have the same symptoms. Borderline autism is not an official term or diagnosis. Instead, it is an informal term referring to less severe ASD symptoms.
Many biological conditions can lead to social difficulties, including autism. However, not all autistic individuals will display social awkwardness (though they may struggle inwardly). Moreover, not everyone who is socially awkward is autistic. And, in fact, they don't necessarily have a diagnosable condition.
Level 1 is the mildest, or “highest functioning” form of autism, which includes those who would have previously been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Individuals with ASD level 1 may have difficulty understanding social cues and may struggle to form and maintain personal relationships.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism can look a lot alike. Children with either one can be very active and impulsive, and can have trouble focusing and interacting with other people. In fact, it can be hard to tell the difference between the two.
Although autistic people may struggle to interact with others, many autistic people have said they find interacting with other autistic people more comfortable.
Autism is not an illness
It means your brain works in a different way from other people. It's something you're born with. Signs of autism might be noticed when you're very young, or not until you're older. If you're autistic, you're autistic your whole life.
Someone who is considered a savant may be especially skilled in art, math, music, memory recall, or another subject. Savant syndrome is commonly associated with autism but can occur alongside other conditions.
But there are key differences: Rett syndrome usually happens in girls, while autism spectrum disorder is much more common in boys. Some symptoms of Rett syndrome don't happen with autism spectrum disorder. These include slowed rate of head growth, loss of hand skills, less mobility, and irregular breathing.
Yes, it's possible for an autism misdiagnosis to occur.
A person can also be diagnosed with a different disorder when they actually should be diagnosed as autistic. Below are a few characteristics occasionally confused with autism: Speech delays. Developmental delays.
Advances in diagnostic capabilities and greater understanding and awareness of autism spectrum disorder seem to be largely driving the increase, the Rutgers researchers said. But there's probably more to the story: Genetic factors, and perhaps some environmental ones, too, might also be contributing to the trend.