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Atypical Autism

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Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Synonyms

Other pervasive developmental disorder; Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD NOS); Pervasive developmental disorder, unspecified

Short Description or Definition

Atypical autism is often described as a subthreshold diagnosis, presenting with some symptoms of autism but insufficient to meet criteria for a diagnosis of childhood autism (or autistic disorder). Alternatively, atypical autism can be diagnosed when there is a late onset of symptomatology. Atypical autism (as defined by ICD-10) is seen as being equivalent to the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic category of pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD NOS).

Like PDD NOS, atypical autism is poorly defined, resulting in a research literature that can be difficult to interpret and conclusions difficult to reach. Atypical autism, as defined by the ICD, lacks operationalized diagnostic criteria, resulting in inconsistencies and variability in the way in which the diagnosis is applied. Although...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, School of Psychology and Psychology Monash University, ELMHS, Monash Medical Centre, 246 Clayton Rd, 3168, Clayton, VIC, Australia

    Kylie M. Gray Ph.D.

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  1. Kylie M. Gray Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Kylie M. Gray Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology Yale University School of Medicine, Chief, Child Psychiatry Children's Hospital at Yale-New Haven Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar (Director, Child Study Center) (Director, Child Study Center)

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Gray, K.M. (2013). Atypical Autism. In: Volkmar, F.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_1635

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_1635

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