- There's one diagnosis now: autism spectrum disorder.
- Asperger's, PDD-NOS and other labels were combined into it in 2013.
- Doctors describe support needs with levels, not types.
- "High-functioning" and "low-functioning" are not official and often mislead.
Are there different types of autism?
Not officially, anymore. Before 2013, the diagnostic manual listed several separate conditions, including autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).1
Research found that clinicians couldn't reliably tell these apart. The same child might get a different label at a different clinic. So the DSM-5 combined them into one diagnosis: autism spectrum disorder.1
What happened to Asperger's?
Asperger's syndrome described children who met criteria for autism but didn't have delays in early language or intellectual development. Since 2013, those children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, often with level 1.2
Some adults and teens diagnosed before then still call themselves "Aspie" or say they have Asperger's. That's their choice. For a new diagnosis, you'll hear "autism" or "autism spectrum disorder."
How do doctors describe differences now?
Instead of types, clinicians add details to the diagnosis:
- A level (1, 2 or 3) for how much support a child needs, rated separately for communication and for routines and repetitive behaviors. See What are the levels of autism?
- Language: whether a child has language differences or delays.
- Intellectual ability: whether there's also an intellectual disability.
- Related conditions, like ADHD, anxiety or a known genetic condition.
Together, these describe your child far better than a single type ever did.
What does "high-functioning autism" mean?
It's an informal term, usually for autistic people who talk fluently and have average or higher intelligence. It isn't a diagnosis, and many autistic people and clinicians avoid it.
The problem is that it suggests someone needs little help. A 2020 study found that IQ was a poor predictor of how children managed daily life: many children with average or higher IQ still had significant difficulties with everyday skills.3 "Low-functioning" has the opposite problem: it can hide a child's strengths and understanding.
Why do families still hear these words?
They're short, and some schools, websites and even professionals still use them. If someone uses one about your child, it's fine to ask what they mean: "Which kinds of support do you think my child needs?"
What can I do with this?
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Read next: What is autism? or What are the early signs of autism?
