Autism is a developmental disorder that affects person’s behavior as well as social and communication skills. The signs and symptom ranges from mild to severe so it is it called Autism Spectrum Disorder to reflect the range of symptoms and the severity of autism
In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association updated its diagnostic manual. This is manual is called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-5). It includes new guidelines for categorizing autism by level. There are three (3) levels which reflects a different level of support someone may need.
These are the two factors to determine level of autism
• abilities of social communication
• restricted and repetitive behaviors
The lower the level, less support is needed such as person with level 1 autism have mild symptoms and may not require so much support. Those with level 2 or 3 autism may have moderate to severe symptoms require more support. Level 3 may need very substantial support since it has a severe lack of communication skills.
Here are some symptoms of autism based on three levels
Level 1
• There is a sign of communication difficulty
• Difficulty of planning and organizing things
• There is a decreased interest in social interactions or activities
• Difficulty in adjusting on changing of routines or behavior
• Difficulty in initiating conversation
Level 2
• Behavioral issues
• Difficulty coping with change to routine or surroundings
• With narrow or specific interest
• Significant lack of verbal and non verbal communication skills
• Unusual or reduced response to social clues, communication or interactions
Level 3
• With trouble changing behavior
• Extreme difficulty coping with unexpected change to routine or environment
• With great distress changing focus or attention
• Very limited social interaction
• With highly visible lack of verbal and non verbal communication