Types of Autism: DSM-4, DSM-5, and Autism Spectrum Disorder Explained

Many people still search for terms like “types of autism,” “Asperger’s syndrome,” or “high-functioning autism.” However, the diagnosis of autism changed significantly with the release of the DSM-5 in 2013.

This blog explains the former autism subtypes, current autism spectrum disorder (ASD) criteria, and what autism support levels mean today.

What Are the Different Types of Autism?

Before the DSM-5, autism was divided into several diagnoses:

• Autistic Disorder
• Asperger’s Syndrome
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

Today, all of these different types of autism diagnoses fall under one umbrella diagnosis called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

What is Autism?

Autism is a neurotype characterized by variations in sensory processing, communication, and patterns of interaction with the world.

While commonly diagnosed in childhood, many adults discover they are autistic later in life, often after researching the different types of autism and how the autism spectrum works. There are autistic people of all races, gender identities, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

It is a neurological and developmental condition that is typically diagnosed in childhood but can go misdiagnosed or undiagnosed into adolescence and adulthood. An estimated 1 in 36 American children and 2% of American adults have been diagnosed as autistic. 

Many autistic adults, especially women, ADHDers, and high-masking individuals, go undiagnosed for years because older autism criteria often failed to recognize diverse presentations.

Types of Autism (According to the DSM-IV)

Autism can manifest in a variety of ways, and presentations vary between individuals. This wide range is why autism is understood and described as a spectrum. Prior versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) included four separate diagnoses under what is now classified as autism spectrum disorder.

In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) revised the DSM, changing the criteria and conceptualization of autism. Before the 2013 revision, the four separate diagnoses of autism and autism-related conditions were made based on specific sets of symptoms. The DSM-4 classification of the four subtypes of autism included:

Autistic Disorder

The diagnosis of Autistic Disorder in the DSM-4 required at least two “social impairment” symptoms, at least one “communication impairment” symptom, and at least six total symptoms from those categories. 

Asperger’s Syndrome

According to the DSM-IV, someone could be diagnosed with Asperger’s if they had “at least two symptoms of social interaction impairment and at least one symptom of restricted, repetitive behavior.”

Asperger’s was often used to describe autistic people who did not have accompanying linguistic or cognitive impairment. Asperger’s syndrome most likely tracks with how the DSM-5-TR currently describes autistic people with level 1 support needs.

Read more about Asperger’s and the autism spectrum here.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)

Child disintegrative disorder is a diagnosis characterized by developmental delays occurring after age 3, when a child loses their previously acquired communication, social, and motor skills.  

Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)

This condition was a catchall for signs of autism that did not fit neatly into one of the other types of autism. 

Autism in DSM-IV vs Autism in DSM-5

How Did the DSM-5 Change Autism Diagnoses?

In the DSM-5, these separate diagnoses became part of what is referred to as autism spectrum disorder. The DSM-5 also introduced criteria for determining “severity levels” to distinguish the extent of support needs.

New Science Points to 4 Distinct Types of Autism

Although the DSM-5 now classifies autism under one umbrella diagnosis called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), researchers continue to study the ways autism can present across individuals.

A 2025 study published in Nature Genetics identified several distinct developmental and genetic patterns among autistic participants, further supporting the idea that autism is highly heterogeneous rather than one uniform experience. Researchers emphasized that autistic people may have different combinations of traits, co-occurring conditions, developmental timelines, and underlying biological pathways.

This newer research reflects a growing shift away from rigid autism “types” and toward understanding autism as a diverse spectrum with multiple developmental pathways.

Findings like these may eventually help researchers better understand individualized support needs and developmental trajectories. But autism remains a spectrum diagnosis, and no single study can fully capture the complexity of autistic lived experiences.

What Are the 3 Autism Support Levels?

Level 1

Level 1 autism is “requiring support.” Autistics at this level can typically live independently or near independently, although they still experience notable difficulties that should not be brushed off. Level 1 autistics can often benefit from occupational or academic accommodations and trusted people (family, friends, or professionals) who can give them support as needed in certain areas. At times, they will still struggle with high social demands, transitions, or other situations that may be dysregulating for them. They can and do experience social, communication, and sensory challenges and may need more or less help at different times. (Their support can be thought of as “as needed.”)

Level 2

Level 2 is “requiring substantial support.” Autistics who require level 2 support may benefit from regular care and support. They can be semi-independent yet still benefit from daily (or near-daily) assistance in certain areas. Every autistic person’s needs are different and vary based on the person’s strengths and differences. Generally, level 2 support means that despite their difficulties being “substantial,” constant assistance is not indicated. (Their support can be thought of as “part-time.”)  

Level 3

Level 3 is “requiring very substantial support.” Autistics who require level 3 support typically need significant, continuous care and support with most aspects of their daily living. This could mean many things, ranging from needing help with basic self-care tasks to staying safe to having designated people make care decisions for you. Level 3 support needs can mean they may have an appointed guardian and may be cared for full-time by their families or reside in residential settings. (Their support can be thought of as “full-time.”)

Why Terms Like “High-Functioning Autism” Can Be Harmful

You may have heard terms like “high-functioning” or “low-functioning” used to describe autistic people. These labels are still common in everyday language, even though they’re not part of current diagnostic criteria and are widely rejected by the autistic community.

Functioning labels are:

• Overly simplistic and fail to reflect day-to-day variability
• Ableist, often dismissing real support needs or independence
• Harmful, because they reduce a person’s experience to one narrow lens

For example, someone labeled “high-functioning” may still struggle with executive functioning, sensory overwhelm, or burnout, but those challenges get dismissed. On the flip side, someone labeled “low-functioning” may be deeply insightful, creative, and autonomous in ways that the label erases.

The reality is that support needs fluctuate. Autism isn’t a straight line. It’s a complex, non-linear spectrum of traits, experiences, and challenges. That’s why we avoid labels and instead focus on describing each person as a whole human with their strengths, needs, preferences, and lived experience at the center.

Types of Autism: Quick Summary

• Autism is now diagnosed as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• DSM-IV previously included several autism subtypes
• Asperger’s syndrome is no longer a separate diagnosis
• Autism support needs vary widely between individuals
• Functioning labels are increasingly viewed as outdated and harmful

FAQ: Types of Autism and DSM Changes

Is Asperger’s syndrome still a diagnosis?

No. Asperger’s syndrome was removed from the DSM-5 in 2013 and is now included under Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Many people still personally identify with the term Asperger’s, especially those diagnosed before the DSM changes.

Are there different types of autism?

Before the DSM-5, autism diagnoses included:

• Autistic Disorder
• Asperger’s Syndrome
• PDD-NOS
• Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

Today, these are all considered part of F84.0 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

What are autism support levels?

The DSM-5 includes three autism support levels:

• Level 1: Requiring support
• Level 2: Requiring substantial support
• Level 3: Requiring very substantial support

Support needs can change over time and vary by environment.

Why did the DSM change autism diagnoses?

The DSM-5 combined previous autism diagnoses into one spectrum diagnosis to better reflect the wide range of autistic experiences and reduce inconsistent diagnostic practices.

Is “high-functioning autism” still used medically?

No. “High-functioning autism” is not an official diagnosis in the DSM-5. Many autistic advocates and clinicians avoid functioning labels because they can oversimplify support needs and lived experiences.

How NeuroSpark Health Can Support You

At NeuroSpark Health, we know that every autistic adult is unique. Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or are still exploring the possibility, we’re here to offer affirming, identity-conscious support, not labels or judgment.

We provide:

• Virtual adult autism assessments nationwide
• Neurodivergent-affirming therapy
• One-on-one coaching for clarity, growth, and real-world strategies
• Accommodations consulting to help you thrive at work, school, or home

👉 Contact our team today to learn more or to schedule your free 15-minute consultation.

Want to learn more about how autism shows up in adults?

Check out the 5 commonly overlooked autism characteristics in adults.

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Autism Special Interests

Autism and Aversion to Touch

Last Updated May 2026