| All developmental disorders can be classified as either | | | | concerns at the level of them varies in degree of |
| Pervasive or specific. Autism Spectrum Disorder | | | | severity. The Autism Spectrum is used to help |
| (ASD) is classified as a pervasive disorder. A | | | | measure the particular level of Autism for each |
| Pervasive Development Disorder (PPD) involves | | | | person. |
| behavior disorders and psychological development | | | | Low Functioning Autism relates to the most severe |
| disorders that alter the mental and physical functions | | | | cases of it. The individuals in this category have many |
| of the person. Most people with PPD experience | | | | disabilities and they are severe in nature. This generally |
| disabilities that affect a variety of functions. | | | | involves the person having a very low IQ. High |
| A Specific Development Disorder (SDD) affects only a | | | | Functioning Autism relates to those who have only a |
| specific area of functioning for the individual. It can be | | | | few areas of impairment and a high IQ. They often |
| Dyslexia so the person has a hard time reading and | | | | excel in a given area of talent that can't be explained. |
| writing, Dyspraxia that affects movements, Discalcula | | | | Individuals who have been diagnosed with Asperger's |
| that affects math equations and processes, or | | | | Syndrome display a high level of functioning as well. |
| Dysgraphia that prevents the person from learning to | | | | A common mistake is to classify PDD and Autism as |
| read or write at all. The main difference between PPD | | | | the same thing. While they are related in some of their |
| and SDD is the number of areas that are affected, not | | | | characteristics they are to distinct areas. Rett's |
| the severity of them. | | | | Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder are in |
| Autism falls into the category of PDD, so individuals | | | | the Autism Spectrum classification. This is because |
| with Autism display disabilities in a variety of areas that | | | | they show Autistic behaviors. Yet the overall diagnosis |
| relate to social skills, communication, and behaviors. | | | | is different because of the other parts of the diagnosis |
| Each person with Autism experiences a variety of | | | | that don't parallel Autism. |