The 3 Levels Of The Spectrum
Autism, a spectrum disorder that affects how an individual essentially perceives the world and interacts with their surroundings can make participating in daily life challenging. There are different types of functionalities regarding autism, including both high functioning and low functioning, and doctors use three levels to describe autism and these functionalities.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (also known as DSM-5), professionals categorize autism by assigning an individual either level 1, 2, or 3 to two areas of functioning known as social communication and restricted/ repetitive behaviors. The level that is assigned to the individual, gives a reflection on the amount of assistance that is needed to endeavor through daily life.
Starting with level 1, known as requiring support, this level is the most high-functioning form of autism. Those with level 1 ASD may have trouble communicating with their surroundings in ways that they may find saying the right things at the right time in social settings to be challenging. A person with ASD level 1 would most likely be able to efficiently speak in full sentences, and communicate just fine, but would have trouble with engagement in back and forth conversation, leading to difficulty in making friends. Other possibilities of difficulties could be difficulties in initiating conversations with others, maintain interest in the conversation, and respond as expected by others.
Moving forward, level 2, known as requiring substantial support, will tend to have much more profound problems with verbal and social communication compared to level 1. A person diagnosed with ASD level 2 may tend to speak in more simple sentences, as they struggle with nonverbal forms of communication. Focus is a challenge at this level, and an individual may get upset when having to bring things such as an activity to a halt. Interests are pretty narrowed down in these individuals, and they tend to engage in repetitive behaviors making it difficult to function in social situations. Even with immense support, the person may find it hard to communicate in a coherent manner and would tend to more likely respond in ways that neurotypical people would consider inappropriate.
Lastly, level 3, known as requiring very substantial support, is the most severe form of autism. Individuals in this category will manifest the exact same behaviors as those in both levels 1 and 2 but will do so to a much more extreme degree. A person with ASD level 3 will be extremely limited to being able to speak intelligibly and will rarely ever initiate interactions with others, as they would do so too awkwardly. They will find huge challenges with expressing themselves in both verbal and nonverbal ways, making it nearly impossible to function, interact socially, and deal with change in focus.
Being identified in one of the three levels of autism can be of great use when it comes to understanding the level of functioning an individual with autism is, and what types of support services would serve them the best.
Sources:
