Autism Spectrum Disorder: Level 1 

This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of what a “level 1” diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder means. We’ll explore common signs, how families can use this information to support their child’s development, and how an autism level 1 diagnosis fits in with the neurodiversity-affirming perspective.

Understanding Level 1 Autism: What It Means for Your Child and Family

When a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, they are also usually given a number, or a level, associated with their diagnosis. Although this number is supposed to provide a little clarity, it often leaves families feeling more confused than they already are.

These numbers, or rather levels, are used by professionals to describe the amount of support that a person with autism might need at that moment in their life. Let’s walk through what Level 1 autism means, why it’s described this way, and how you and your family can use this information to support your child.

What the DSM-5 Says About Autism

Recall from an earlier blog post that the DSM-5 is a book used by medical professionals to describe various developmental and mental health conditions. In the DSM-5, autism is referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The word “spectrum” here reflects the different ways in which autism can present. That is, no two autistic people are alike, and each person’s strengths and preferences are unique, as are their challenges and support needs.

The DSM-5 defines autism based on two main features:

1. Differences in social communication and social interaction
   This might look like challenges with things such as engaging in back-and-forth conversations, using and understanding body language or tone of voice, or making and maintaining friendships. These differences don’t mean that a child can’t or doesn’t want to connect with others; they may just connect with the world in ways that look different from how people typically connect.

 

1. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities
   This can look like repeating words (often called echolalia) or movements (such as hand flapping or twirling), having focused interests in certain objects, topics, or activities (like dinosaurs, trains, Minecraft, Bluey, creeks), and preferring routines that are structured and predictable.

Because autism shows up differently in everyone with a diagnosis, each person will require unique and individualized supports. For that reason, the DSM-5 introduced support level descriptors. These levels help to loosely categorize people on the autism spectrum by how much support they may need to function in their daily lives. There are currently three levels of support, ranging in intensity.

• Level 1: Requiring some support

• Level 2: Requiring substantial support

• Level 3: Requiring very substantial support

 

What Does Level 1 Autism Mean?

When a person is diagnosed with level 1 autism, this means that they require some support in their daily lives. Some people might want to simplify this and say that the person has a more mild form of autism, but that can be misleading and even detrimental. If a person is described as having a mild form of autism, this might minimize their very real challenges, as well as the amount of support they need to help them be successful. Common characteristics of level 1 autism may include the following: 

• Social communication: Without support, children with level 1 autism may have a hard time starting conversations, as well as keeping them going with relevant comments and questions. Conversations might focus around their favorite topics, and they may not be able to read non-verbal cues indicating that others aren’t interested in that topic. Understanding the “hidden rules” of social interaction is often difficult, which can lead to challenges making and keeping friends. 
• Restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests: Restricted and repetitive behaviors and interests (RRBIs) usually look different in children with level 3 autism compared to levels 1 and 2. Children with level 3 autism may be highly interested in specific topics (such as Zelda, World War II, the evolution of the Disney logo) and share about them in great detail. Switching between tasks may be difficult, as well as planning and organizing time and materials.

What a Level 1 Autism Diagnosis Doesn’t Mean

People diagnosed with level 1 autism may require the lowest level of support per the DSM-5, but this does not mean that they don’t want or need support across their daily lives. Children with level 1 autism benefit from services and accommodations to understanding and accessing the social world, which can directly influence their learning and academic success. 

 

How Families Can Use This Information

A Level 1 diagnosis can alert families and professionals to the need for support even when the child demonstrates average or above-average skills in certain areas of their life, such as in science, math, or art class. Children with level 3 autism may demonstrate good language skills and average or high IQ skills, which sometimes leaves families and professionals thinking that their children don’t need support. However, life (and school) is full of unstructured time, social interactions, and unexpected schedule changes that can be challenging for individuals with level 3 autism. Without supports, these, sometimes subtle, challenges can build up and cause unnecessary frustrations, confusions, and greater challenges than necessary.

Individuals with level 3 autism benefit from direct and explicit instruction in social cognition and social communication. Understanding things like intention, beliefs, and motivation can not only be important in real-life social interactions and developing friendships, but also in understanding higher level academics, such as literature, religions, historical events, and even math word problems. Additionally, supports include teaching individuals to advocate for themselves, an important skill to fostering independence.

Level 1 Autism Through a Neurodiversity-Affirming Perspective

Regardless of what level autism diagnosis a person has, having an autism diagnosis is not “bad” and is not something to be “fixed.” Each child and person with autism is unique and shows up in the world with their own individual strengths and contributions to society. It is important to honor each person’s uniqueness and individuality. Some ways that we can do that include

• Honoring their unique skills and providing them with tools and strategies to continue developing and fostering those skills
• Teaching them about social “norms” and expectations, without forcing them to conform. For example, it may be important to teach someone about white lies and why others might use them, but we should never force a person to engage in lie telling if they feel uncomfortable doing so

FAQs

 

Is Level 1 autism the same thing as “mild autism”?

Level 1 autism means that the person requires some support to access the world we currently live in. Although those diagnosed with level 1 autism tend to have relatively good language and cognitive skills, they require support in other facets of life, particularly social ones. 

Will my child with Level 1 autism be able to make friends?

Yes! There are several supports and strategies designed to help individuals with autism learn the skills necessary for making and maintaining friendships. Successful programs focus on building underlying social cognitive and social communicative skills instead of purely teaching social “rules”. Like most people, individuals with autism will likely prefer to connect with peers who have similar interests as them.

Does Level 1 autism mean that my child won’t get services or supports?

Not at all. Children with level 1 autism do benefit from therapies and accommodations, such as speech-language therapy, social communication groups, or classroom supports to enhance their learning and social experiences. The goal is never to take away their autism, but to provide them tools and strategies that make life easier and more fulfilling.

Can the “level” of autism change over time?

Yes. Autism is lifelong, but the amount of support a person needs can shift as they grow, learn new skills, and adapt to new environments.