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Autism Is Not Just One Condition: New Research Identifies Four Distinct Types

Updated: Aug 20


Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is often seen as a “single diagnosis,” but in reality, every child’s presentation can be very different. Recently, a groundbreaking study published in the top journal Nature Genetics brought exciting new findings: scientists have discovered that autism can actually be divided into four distinct types, and these differences are closely linked to children’s genes.


Why is this important?

Many parents have this experience:

  • Some children struggle mainly with social interaction;

  • Some develop more slowly in language and learning;

  • Others seem to fall “in between,” with both strengths and challenges.

This shows that autism is highly diverse. The new research aims to answer the question: why do autistic children show such different traits?


How was the study done?

Scientists analyzed a large-scale database (SPARK) containing information on 5,392 autistic children. They collected:

  • Various questionnaire results (e.g., social skills, behavioral habits),

  • Developmental milestones (e.g., whether the child could speak, when they started walking).

The research team then used a special statistical method to classify the children’s characteristics. The result: autism can be divided into four subtypes.


The four types of autism

  1. Social/Behaviorally Restricted Type Children mainly struggle with social interaction and repetitive behaviors.

  2. Broadly Affected Type Multiple areas of development are impacted—language, motor skills, and learning show clear difficulties.

  3. Mixed Type (with Developmental Delay) Children show both typical autism traits and developmental delays.

  4. Moderate Challenge Type Children face moderate difficulties in multiple areas, but not as severely as the “Broadly Affected” type.


What does this have to do with genes?

The study found that these four subtypes also differ genetically:

  • Common genetic factors (like polygenic risk scores) vary across subtypes.

  • Rare mutations and de novo mutations play different roles in each subtype.

  • Even the timing of gene activity during brain development influences how traits manifest.

For example: if certain genes are active during key stages of language development, the child may be more affected in language skills.


What does this mean for parents and children?

The biggest takeaway is:

  • Autism is not a single, vague label—it consists of different subtypes;

  • Children in different subtypes may require different types of intervention;

  • In the future, doctors and specialists may be able to more precisely match support strategies to each child.

It’s like how we once only knew the term “cold,” but later learned to distinguish between “viral colds” and “allergic rhinitis”—and could then treat more effectively.


Community response

When this study was released, many parents and researchers were thrilled:

  • Some said: “Now I finally understand why autistic children can be so different!”

  • Others remarked: “This makes autism diagnosis truly meaningful in a scientific way.”


Summary

This research shows us that:

  • Autism is not a single condition, but consists of multiple types;

  • Each child’s challenges and strengths are closely tied to their genes and developmental processes;

  • In the future, science will allow us to provide more targeted, personalized support, ensuring every child gets the help that fits them best.

For parents, this is a hopeful message: science is steadily making autism interventions more precise and individualized.

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