While autism includes significant and sometimes profound learning and communication difficulties, there are some specific syndromes and disorders which also may be part of autism or share characteristics with autistic spectrum disorders. Sometimes identification of a specific syndrome will help determine appropriate remediation and accomodation more precisely than the overall diagnosis of an autistic spectrum disorder.

Contents

1. Dyslexia (Specific Learning Disabilities)
2. Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder
3. Hyperlexia
4. Verbal Dyspraxia/Apraxia
5. Non-verbal Learning Disability

See also:

• Resources: Language and Learning Disorders Links
• Definitons: Sensory and Motor Disorders

1. Dyslexia

Common name "word blindness", causes significant delay in the development of literacy, difficulty with spelling, sequencing, handwriting ("dysgraphia") etc. Its connection with ASDs is uncertain, but it seems more common than in the NT population.

2. Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder

Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder involves deficits in social and nonverbal communication such as the give and take of communication as well as interpreting cues from body language and expression. The term has two rather different uses:

1. A language disorder found in all verbal people with autism as well as a high proportion of those with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NLD) and hyperlexia.
2. A distinct syndrome which is very similar to Asperger Syndrome, but involves more difficulties with language and usually somewhat better social skills. There is some debate as to whether SPD exists as a distinct syndrome at all.

3. Hyperlexia

Hyperlexia is an exceptional ability to read, not necessarily with any understanding of what you are reading. As with Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder, hyperlexia is used for both a specific trait and a distinct syndrome. According to the American Hyperlexia Association, hyperlexia is defined by 3 characteristics:

1. Delay in acquisition or comprehension of verbal language.
2. Delay in social skills.
3. Precocious ability to read words and/or obsession with letters and numbers

Hyperlexia's place on or outside of the autistic spectrum is a matter of much debate. Be that as it may, hyperlexia is a trait commonly seen in autistic spectrum disorders. Autistics with hyperlexia have a unique learning style and a better prognosis than those without this reading skill. Hyperlexia is often written off as a "meaningless splinter skill" but it is much more than that even if comprehension lags because reading can be a very useful tool for learning other skills and can be the doorway to language in general.

4. Verbal Dyspraxia/Apraxia

Dyspraxia, also called apraxia, is a general term for unusual difficulty planning and carrying out motor movements. Apraxics have no detectable problems with muscles or other physical abnormalities and the difficulties producing speech in verbal apraxics are not explained simply by a language delay.

5. Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NLD)

Nonverbal Learning Disabilities affect organization, motor skills, visual-spatial perception, nonverbal communication, and often mathematics. Collectively, these are known as "Non-verbal Learning Disabilities" (NLD). Nonverbal Learning Disabilities are very closely related to Asperger Syndrome, Hyperlexia, Dyspraxia, and Semantic-Pragmatic Disorder.

Originally compiled by Anna Hayward on behalf of the alt.support.autism newsgroup, November 2000. Original site design and HTML by Kalen Molton. Please address any general queries to Mike Stanton. Broken links and problems of a technical nature should be addressed to John Muggleton by entering details in the comments box of the form here. Any opinions expressed in this article are personal and should not be construed as medical advice. We are not representatives of any of the companies discussed, nor do we receive any form of commission.

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