Mild Autism | Severe Autism | High Functioning Autism | Full Spectrum Disorder | Explained

Parents usually describe their autistic child’s symptoms either as mild autism, severe autism or high functioning autism.

They are describing their child’s level of functioning compared to other children they have come in contact with.  These terms are also descriptions used by practitioners to easily profile the child’s condition.

When autism became mainstream the term that was used was “Full Spectrum Disorder.  That term was sufficient until the public schools started receiving state funds to pay for special needs programs.

The school boards worked with the state to develop payment schedules that would allot a percentage of monies received for a more defined autism spectrum.

Mild Autism

This term became know as Pervasive Development Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). PDD-NOS  is a condition on the spectrum exhibiting some, but not all, of the symptoms associated with classic autism.  Thus can include difficulty socializing with others, repetitive behaviors, and heightened sensitivities to certain stimuli.

High Functioning Autism

This term became known as “Asperger’s “syndrome (or disorder) a developmental disorder in which people have severe difficulties understanding how to interact socially.  People with Asperger’s Syndrome may not recognize verbal and non-verbal cues, or understand normal social rules such as taking turns talking or recognizing personal space.

Here is where the math comes in.  Let’s say that the state pays $30.000 per child for their special needs education.  The child has been determined to be PPD-NOS.  In the school’s mind the child is only one-third autistic and should only receive one-third of the state funds or $10,000.  The remaining $20,000 goes into the General Fund and can be used to fund anything the school deems worthy.  The same scenario applies to Aspergers.

The only designation worthy of complete funding for the child is “Full Spectrum Disorder.”  The parent may have to see several doctors to get this designation, however it is worth the time and money, i.e., $10,000 per year vs $30,000 per year for the child’s special needs education.

The Take Away

So in a nutshell, the varying degrees of autism is based on how parents and practitioners compare their child to other autistics and how schools delegate funds to families for their special needs assistance.

Learn how you can Accelerate your Child’s learning curve and get your money’s worth out of the programs you’ll be paying for. Visit Byonetics’ Autism Treatment Technology.