Adaptive "Autism" or Static "Neuro-Typicality"?

[Jonathan Barlow Gee]

Neurotypical or NT, an abbreviation of neurologically typical, is a neologism originating in the autistic community as a label for people who are not on the autism spectrum. However, the term eventually became used for anyone who does not have atypical neurology. In other words, this refers to anyone who does not have developmental disabilities such as autism, dyslexia, developmental coordination disorder, or ADHD. The term was later adopted by both the neurodiversity movement and the scientific community. Neurotypical has been replaced by some with "allistic", or "nypical."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurotypical

impairments of the growth and development of the brain or central nervous system. A narrower use of the term refers to a disorder of brain function that affects emotion, learning ability, self-control and memory and that unfolds as the individual grows. The term is sometimes erroneously used as an exclusive synonym for autism and autism spectrum disorders.

Disorders considered neurodevelopmental in origin, or that have neurodevelopmental consequences when they occur in infancy and childhood, include:

Autism and autism spectrum disorders such as Asperger syndrome

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Motor disorders including developmental coordination disorder, stereotypic movement disorder and the tic disorders including Tourette syndrome.

Traumatic brain injury (including congenital injuries such as those that cause cerebral palsy)

Communication, speech and language disorders

Genetic disorders, such as fragile-X syndrome

Down syndrome

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Mendelsohnn's Syndrome

Schizophrenia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pervasive_developmental_disorder

Under the DSM-5, autism is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts, as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. These deficits are present in early childhood, and lead to clinically significant functional impairment.... As of 2010 the number of people affected is estimated at about 1–2 per 1,000 worldwide. It occurs four to five times more often in boys than girls. About 1.5% of children in the United States (one in 68) are diagnosed with ASD as of 2014, a 30% increase from one in 88 in 2012.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism

Savant skills are usually found in one or more of five major areas: art, musical abilities, calendar calculation, mathematics, and spatial skills. The most common kind of autistic savants are calendrical savants, "human calendars" who can calculate the day of the week with speed and accuracy. Memory feats are the second most common savant skill in a survey. Approximately half of savants are autistic; the other half often have some form of central nervous system injury or disease. Among those with autism, it is estimated that 10% have some form of savant abilities.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savant_syndrome

The DSM-5, published in 2013, redefined the autism spectrum to encompass the previous (DSM-IV-TR) diagnoses of autism, Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and childhood disintegrative disorder.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_spectrum

Asperger Syndrome (AS) is characterized by significant difficulties in social interaction and nonverbal communication, alongside restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. It differs from other autism spectrum disorders by its relative preservation of linguistic and cognitive development. Although not required for diagnosis, physical clumsiness and atypical (peculiar or odd) use of language are frequently reported.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome

According to the DSM-IV, PDD-NOS is a diagnosis that is used for "severe and pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal social interaction or verbal and nonverbal communication skills, or when stereotyped behavior, interests, and activities are present, but the criteria are not met for a specific PDD" or for several other disorders.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pervasive_developmental_disorder_not_...

The childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), also known as Heller's syndrome and disintegrative psychosis, is a rare condition characterized by late onset of developmental delays in language, social function, and motor skills. Researchers have not been successful in finding a cause for the disorder. CDD has some similarity to autism, and is sometimes considered a low-functioning form of it.... CDD was originally described by Austrian educator Theodor Heller (1869 – 1938) in 1908, 35 years before Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger described autism. Heller had previously used the name dementia infantilis for the syndrome.... CDD is a rare condition, with only 1.7 cases per 100,000.... A child affected with childhood disintegrative disorder shows normal development and he/she acquires "normal development of age-appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication, social relationships, motor, play and self-care skills"[citation needed] comparable to other children of the same age. However, from between the age of 2 through the age of 10, skills acquired are lost almost completely in at least two of the following six functional areas:

Expressive language skills (being able to produce speech and communicate a message)

Receptive language skills (comprehension of language - listening and understanding what is communicated)

Social skills and self care skills

Control over bowel and bladder

Play skills

Motor skills

Lack of normal function or impairment also occurs in at least two of the following three areas:

Social interaction

Communication

Repetitive behavior and interest patterns

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood_disintegrative_disorder

Rett syndrome (RTT), originally termed cerebroatrophic hyperammonemia, is a rare genetic postnatal neurological disorder of the grey matter of the brain that almost exclusively affects females but has also been found in male patients. The clinical features include small hands and feet and a deceleration of the rate of head growth (including microcephaly in some). Repetitive stereotyped hand movements, such as wringing and/or repeatedly putting hands into the mouth, are also noted. People with Rett syndrome are prone to gastrointestinal disorders and up to 80% have seizures. They typically have no verbal skills, and about 50% of affected individuals do not walk. Scoliosis, growth failure, and constipation are very common and can be problematic.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rett_syndrome

Schizotypal autism or Mendelsohnn's Syndrome is similar to Asperger syndrome; however, it originates from a schizotypal continuum rather than an autistic spectrum. It is characterized by impaired social interaction, non-verbal communication, ritualistic and obsessive behaviour, an above average intelligence and schizotypal symptoms often resulting in secondary depression and anxiety. It is a lifelong condition; however, it becomes particularly notable in periods of stress. It occurs in North Eastern European populations, and is only officially recognised in Russia, Finland, Kyrgyzstan, Estonia and Belarus as a psychiatric disorder. It more than likely exists in other locations but is not recognised as a disorder, thus cannot be officially diagnosed.

A classical symptom is seasonal affective disorder.

For a diagnosis patients need specific symptoms associated with "classical" Aspergers Syndrome, these are usually present from toddler age, like an ASD:

Difficulties with social interaction

Ritualistic behaviour

Obsessive interests

High IQ

Impaired motor skills

Inability to ""mentalize"

Anxiety

But also symptoms of schizotypy which usually become more prominent in late childhood years:

Aloofness

Suspiciousness

Verbosity or odd use of language

Pseudohallucinations

Depressive episodes

Paranoia

Suicidal thoughts

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizotypal_autism

The autistic community is divided primarily into two camps; the autism rights movement and the autism cure movement. The autism rights movement believes autism is a different way of being and advocates against a cure. On the other hand, the autism cure movement advocates for a cure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociological_and_cultural_aspects_of_...

The autism rights movement (ARM), also known as the autistic culture movement, is a social movement within the neurodiversity and disability rights movements that encourages autistic people, their caregivers and society to adopt a position of neurodiversity, accepting autism as a variation in functioning rather than a mental disorder to be cured.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism_rights_movement