Autism Levels
Autism used to have different names like Asperger's disorder. Now all autistic people have the same diagnosis.
Being autistic looks and feels for each person. This is why doctors describe levels of support for autistic children and adults. These levels help to explain how much support an autistic person needs at that time. These levels of support can change over time.
Level 1 means someone requires support. This could describe an autistic child who may not need much support at school. Yet they may have difficulty with back and forth conversation and making friends. They may get overwhelmed when changes happen or need help staying organized.
Level 2 means someone needs substantial support. This could describe an autistic child who needs help starting or keeping interactions going. People who do not know the child well may be able to tell when this child has a hard time with change. The child's focused interests may come up a lot; their repetitive movements may be clear to others.
Level 3 means someone needs very substantial support. This could describe an autistic child who is not yet speaking, using sign language, or using supports to talk. This child may prefer to be independent a lot of the time. Their challenges with changes or flexibility have a big impact on their lives.