Medical professionals

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5), doctors categorize autism by assigning level 1, 2, or 3 to two of the domains of symptoms.

Level 1: Requiring support

Level 1 is the least severe autism diagnosis. People in this category have social difficulties that require some support. They can find it difficult to initiate conversations with others and may respond inappropriately or lose interest quickly. As a result, it can be challenging for them to make friends, especially without the right support. People with level 1 autism may also show inflexible behaviors. It can be difficult for them to cope with changing situations or contexts, such as new environments. They may need help with organization and planning.

Level 2: Requiring substantial support

People in this category need more support than those with a level 1 diagnosis. They have more severe social deficits that make holding a conversation very challenging. Even with support, they may struggle to communicate coherently and are more likely to respond inappropriately to others. They may speak in short sentences or only discuss very specific topics. These individuals may also have issues with nonverbal communication and might display behaviors such as facing away from the person with whom they are communicating. People with a level 2 diagnosis may also have inflexible behaviors that can interfere with daily functioning. They typically do not cope very well with changes, which can cause them significant distress.

Level 3: Requiring very substaintial support

Level 3 is the most severe autism diagnosis. People with a level 3 diagnosis have significant impairments in their verbal and nonverbal communication. They will often avoid interactions with others, but they may interact in a limited way if they must respond to others or communicate a need. Their behaviors are highly inflexible and repetitive. They may react strongly to changes and become highly distressed in a situation that requires them to alter their focus or task.

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