LEVELS OF AUTISM

WHAT ARE MILD, MODERATE, AND SEVERE AUTISM?

Buy now, we all know what Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is but for the sake of those who don’t know, let’s quickly fill them in.

What is Autism?

Autism is a complex neurobehavioral condition that includes impairments in SOCIAL INTERACTIONS, DEVELOPMENTAL LANGUAGE, SENSORY PROCESSING, and COMMUNICATION SKILLS, combined with rigid repetitive behaviours. It can present or manifest itself in individuals in three levels: level 1 or mild, level 2 or moderate, and level 3 or severe.

Today I want us to look at what each of these different levels means. We will understand their signs or symptoms, their characteristics, and their behaviours. Without any further ado, let’s begin.

Before we look at the characteristics and behaviours of each level, let us first learn the signs and symptoms. Why? Because when it comes to signs and or symptoms of autism, they are all the same whether it’s level 1, 2, or 3.

The difference is that they are exhibited according to the intensity in which they are presented or the strength of that level. For example, three individuals with autism can all have the same signs or symptoms, but they will each exhibit them according to the level of autism they each have.

To a person with mild autism, those symptoms would be present but would not be as strong as those whose autism is moderate or severe. Now that we understand this, let’s look at what those signs and symptoms are, shall we?

Signs or symptoms of autism

· Special interest/obsession with certain and or specific things, topics, objects, clothing, toys, etc.

· Communication and social interactions challenges

· They are often very shy

· Serious tendencies of overreacting toward the change in their surroundings

· Delays and challenges in learning spoken language and speech

· Rigid and repetitive behaviours

· Sensory processing challenges

· Poor or absent eye-contact

· Inability to differentiate

· Feeling anxious when in unfamiliar environments

· Prefer strict and rigid routine

· Affect proximity

The list is very long but for the sake of things, let’s keep it this short. As I’ve explained, the symptoms can be found in any level of autism, the difference is that the individual can exhibit some mildly or moderately and some can severely exhibit all of them. That said, let’s look at the characteristics of each autism level starting with level 1 or mild autism.

Level 1 or Mild autism

This level of autism is sometimes referred to as Asperger’s Syndrome and sometimes although not always, referred to as High Functioning Autism (HFA). The most common or famous term, however, is Asperger’s.

Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) is another type of autism where an individual is impaired in the above-mentioned skills and development but on a milder scale. Most of the people on the AS or mild or level 1 spectrum can speak; some earlier and others later — but they can speak.

These individuals are like you and me. Some of them can even go to mainstream schools instead of special schools. Naturally, an autistic brain is wired differently, whether mild, moderate, or severe. What this means is that these individuals can think for themselves and can handle their daily life even though they process information differently from non-autistics.

Characteristics of level 1 or mild autism

Again, some of the characteristics of autism can be found in all types of autism and levels but not all of them like these.

· Level 1 or mild autistic people are literal. They don’t understand slang language like sarcasm, figures of speech, and metaphors.

· They are seemingly blunt, rude, and aloof. This is because they find it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling. They struggle to connect with others on an emotional level. They, therefore, seem like they do not care.

· They struggle to express their own feelings.

Behaviours of level 1 or mild autism

· Stimming.

· Prefer wearing certain types of clothes or the same clothes most of the time.

· Prefer eating certain types of foods.

Level 2 or moderate autism

This level is between mild and severe but a little farther from mild autism and a little closer to severe autism. For example, I said earlier that mild autistic individuals can be independent, they can go to a mainstream school, and they can speak. They can go as far as getting a degree, getting a job, driving, getting married, and having a family. Why? Because their autism is mild and approximately 75 to 90% manageable.

Level 2 on the other hand ranges between 50 and 70%. This means that individuals can’t be that fully independent. There would be things they might be limited to such as driving for example. They cannot go to a mainstream school and their development may take longer than that of a mild autistic individual.

Characteristics of level 2 or moderate autism

· They can’t initiate a conversation and they also can’t keep it rolling. They speak when spoken to and then quiet they keep. You’d think they don’t want to talk.

· Some experience speech delay while some never speak and when they do speak, they do so very weirdly and in an abnormal tone, rhythm, and cadence (you’d think you’re talking to a robot or cartoon voice actor). And some speak like they are singing (a singsong tune).

· They have difficulties interpreting facial expressions, body gestures, and non-verbal communication cues.

· They lack motor skills.

· They have no sense of danger, pain, or fear.

Behaviours of level 2 or moderate autism

· Their eye-hand coordination is very poor.

· They get easily disrupted by the slightest change in their daily routine.

· Their focus or concentration on certain things and objects can be quite intense.

· They don’t like to cuddle or hold hands.

· They like to make meaningless, repetitive sounds and noises, especially voices (aka echolalia).

Level 3 or severe autism

As far as autism is concerned, this level is by far the most difficult level to deal with and handle. This level of autism is first rare and very tricky because an individual may exhibit signs of psychosis. This means that most people with severe autism are often tagged as crazy by those who don’t understand autism as some of their behaviours can seem like that.

To this day, many of our neighbours and some family members believe that my son is crazy. Half the time I get really offended and half the time I understand because of the way he behaves. And if I didn’t know so much about autism, I’d probably think he was crazy too but he’s not — his symptoms, characteristics, and behaviours are just too severe, enough to convince you that he is crazy.

Everything about these individuals is low, from their IQ down to their development and performance. These individuals exhibit their signs and symptoms in a very severe way.

Some of them can speak but not in full speech or sentences and the rest of them are non-verbal. This level of autism means that an individual can never be independent but would require supervision for the rest of their life.

Characteristics of level 3 or severe autism

· They can’t differentiate between safety and danger, night or day, sunshine, or rain.

· They have no awareness of self or others.

· They like to cry out of the blue for no particular reason at all.

· They tend to be aggressive and violent when seeking attention, confused, anxious, and scared.

· Lack of motor skills and eye-hand coordination.

Behaviours of level 3 or severe autism

· They don’t respond to their own names when being called as though they cannot hear.

· They like to perform repetitive movements like pacing up and down, hopping around, flapping hands, spinning, etc.

· They like to self-harm by slapping themselves, banging their heads, and biting their hands.

· They are clumsy.

· They like weird movements like crawling and walking on their toes.

· Are interested in smaller parts of a bigger picture like playing with the spokes of a bicycle but fail to understand the functions or purpose of it.

· They are often sensitive to lights, sounds, noises, and smells but be indifferent to pain and body temperatures.

· They are very difficult to manage.

Again, for the last time, these signs, characteristics, and behaviours can be found in all types of autism and levels. Individuals may exhibit some or all of them and don’t necessarily mean that those I classified under a certain level can’t be found in another.

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