Before I try to explain what form of Autism goes into what level because of this confusion this is done on different sites, I will do a bit of my own work and take some information off another site so this correct. To how confusing they write it, it is hard to say what is correct. It is hard to say whether this changes through a person's life as they may improve which may depend on the type of Autism etc.
Level 1 high functioning Asperous syndrome finding it hard to communicate socially and find it hard to understand some body's body language. Struggle to get through education, work, and study without the right support because some may face dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, which could be either one, two, or all three of these conditions. Speech is better than those who face level 2 and level 3. They just about make friends but not successfully. Most friendships, relationships, etc don't last but it's possible that they get on better and successfully with those who are the same if not similar to them.
Asperger’s syndrome
Asperger’s syndrome was on the mild end of the spectrum. People with Asperger’s were often considered high functioning, with normal to above-average intelligence.
Signs and symptoms included:
- impairment in social interaction
- trouble reading facial expressions, body language, and social cues
- not understanding irony, metaphor, or humor
- awkward body language, standing too close or talking too loudly
- lack of eye contact
- repeating the same behaviors and activities
To others, these can be interpreted as signs of rudeness, so forming friendships can be challenging. Other signs included:
- clumsiness
- poor handwriting
- a narrow range of interests or preoccupation with a single interest
- repetitive behaviors
- a need for routine and rigid rules
- easily upset when things don’t go as planned
Pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
The diagnosis of PDD-NOS was given when a developmental disorder didn’t quite meet the criteria for autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Rett syndrome, or childhood disintegrative disorder.
PDD-NOS fell in the mild to the middle part of the spectrum. It has also been called “atypical autism.”
Signs of PDD-NOS might have included:
- deficits in social behavior
- uneven skill development
- poorly developed speech and language
- difficulty accepting change
- uncommon responses to taste, sight, sound, smell, or touch
- repetitive or ritualistic behaviors
- unusual likes and dislikes
Level 2 Children who face ADHD from age 2 to 17 years according to one site I am researching from have difficulty concentrating on education, which that need of support can be ongoing from my experience depending what you are studying the level of qualification etc. What makes it so confusing with these levels is as some people get older they start to improve. My point is according to most sites which even I would say is confusing in other words some people may start as Autism Spectrum in some areas then increase they get older to Asperous, it's hard to know whether this is the case or not with so many different sites saying different things.
However' going by what I am reading now it is possible that Autism Spectrum could well be level 2. Like level one difficulty with social communication and non-verbal language but more several. They may well get upset if they have to move from one activity to the other, like people with Asperous but even more so.
They have little interest in what's going on around them but they tend to say that on sites but there's a difference between when someone doesn't purposely have interest in something to when some have a condition that affects their world around them, which means mainly early childhood years, the child could be made to be excepted to do whatever, say for example read a book and tell the teacher what's about. These children nine times out of ten would do that but they lack comprehensive and understanding although they most likely read very well and it is easy for the teacher to think the child has no interest in the story, which is what I faced in childhood and teenage years. Now in some things that have improved, some things I have got back to in remembering the title and finding I understand least most of them and I understood when say I saw that book or film, etc the first time in my life, which is weird.
A person diagnosed with ASD level 2 tends to speak in simple sentences and also struggles with nonverbal forms of communication.3
I guess this is level 3.
Autistic disorder
The autistic disorder was on the severe end of the spectrum. You’d likely see an array of symptoms early on. These involve:
- challenges with social interaction
- communication problems
- repetitive behaviors
Other signs may include:
- tantrums or “meltdowns“
- sleeping and eating disturbances
Children on the severe end of the spectrum may prefer playing alone, with little to no interest in others or the outside world. A high level of support is needed for them.
Childhood disintegrative disorder
A child with this disorder met normal developmental milestones for the first few years. After that, there was a rapid decline in acquired skills involving:
- language and communication
- social skills, play, and self-care skills
- motor skills, and bowel and bladder control
Childhood disintegrative disorder fell on the severe end of the spectrum.
The spectrum illustrates a broad range of developmental delays and symptom severity.
ASD includes people who have a few mild autistic traits to those who need help with day-to-day functioning. It represents every intelligence level, as well as varying degrees of communication and social abilities.
The differences between one type and another type can be subtle and difficult to determine. Strict categorization may be less important than accessing needed services.
A diagnosis on the spectrum means you can turn attention to assessing individual needs.
Terms like “mild” or “high functioning” are not official diagnoses. But they can be useful in understanding a general range within the spectrum.
You may also have heard about three “levels” of autism, with level 1 being the mildest and level 3 the most severe. These terms are also not used by doctors today.
High functioning autism
High functioning autism describes “mild” autism, or “level 1” on the spectrum.
Asperger’s syndrome is often described as high functioning autism. Symptoms are present, but the need for support is minimal.
Broad autism phenotype
A broad autism phenotype is a group of slight language and personality traits of autism. Symptoms are mild and may not be clinically significant for diagnosis.
Researchers have noted that this is sometimes seen in relatives of people with an autism diagnosis.
Severe autism
Severe autism is sometimes called “level 3” on the spectrum. People with severe autism require help with day-to-day functioning.
Caregiving, or a high level of support, maybe needed indefinitely.
Rett syndrome or Rett disorder has also been called “autism-dementia-ataxia-loss of purposeful hand use syndrome.” But it’s not included on the autism spectrum. It’s a brain disorder caused by genetic mutations.
Classic Rett syndrome affects mostly girls, who develop normally for the first few months. Then, symptoms start to appear involving:
- language and communication
- learning
- coordination
Eventually, affected children start to lose control over their hands. Other symptoms include:
- repeated hand motions
- slowed growth or small head size
- spitting and drooling
- unusual eye movements, staring or blinking
- cold extremities
- sleep disturbances
- irritability
- breathing abnormalities
- seizures
- the curvature of the spine
If you think your child might have symptoms of autism, speak to their pediatrician or a primary care physician. They can refer you to the appropriate specialist, such as a:
- developmental pediatrician
- child neurologist
- psychiatrist or psychologist
You can also request an evaluation from your state’s public early childhood assistance center. It’s free and you don’t need a doctor’s referral or diagnosis. Your local public school district can also provide assistance.
There’s no medical test to diagnose autism spectrum disorder. A doctor can make the diagnosis with a comprehensive behavior evaluation and developmental screening.
Some people on the spectrum will need a minimum of support services. Others will require a lot. Either way, early intervention is associated with long-term positive effects on people with autism.
The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder includes a number of conditions that were diagnosed separately prior to 2013. The lines between those conditions weren’t always clear and could be confusing for everyone involved.
The spectrum covers a wide range of symptoms and severity. The evolution to the spectrum and changing terminology should help make things easier to understand.
The spectrum may also help speed up diagnosis and access to services. With early intervention, autistic people can learn skills that can last a lifetime.
Last medically reviewed on August 4, 2020
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