ABSTRACT
Children with classic autism tend to function in the lower levels of intelligence, due in part to their language skills, which may be significantly lower than the other subtypes. In the past, many people with classic autism were institutionalized and many also had significant health or physical issues as well. However, there is a great deal of confusion in terminology between the word "autism" and the broader term "autism spectrum disorders," which often include newer terms for variations of intellectual functioning, language, problem-solving abilities, and times of diagnosis. The term Asperger's Syndrome used to describe children who are on the autism spectrum, but do not have language delay, although they may have communication differences. However, they do have the social issues and often have the repetitive behaviors and sensory sensitivities of other children on the spectrum. It is a relatively new diagnostic term that was not included in the autism spectrum until 1995.
