Your child is the most important person in your life, and you want the best outcomes for their future. You may notice, however, that while your child is able to focus on a task and is highly intelligent, they may have difficulties holding a proper conversation or understanding social cues.
There is a chance that your child may have a mild form of autism known as Autism Level 1. But, what exactly does that mean?
What Is Autism-Level 1?
Autism is generally defined as a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal autism communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated one in fifty-four children in the U.S. today.
Additionally, there are several types of autism. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) combines all autism-related conditions under one umbrella term, known as autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Today, ASD is divided into three levels that reflect severity:
- Level 1: Level 1 is the mildest form of ASD, but children in this category still require support. Generally, children at this level have more mild symptoms, but still have a hard time communicating appropriately or engaging with others. For example, they may not say the right thing at the right time or have difficulty reading social cues and body language. This is what most people previously referred to when they used the terms “Asperger’s syndrome” or “high-functioning autism”.
- Level 2: Children at this level require substantial support as there are typically more obvious problems with verbal and social communication compared to those diagnosed with Level 1 autism. Children with Level 2 tend to have very narrow interests and engage in repetitive behaviors that can make it difficult for them to function or participate in certain situations.
- Level 3: This is the most severe form of ASD. Children in this category tend to have many of the same difficulties or behaviors as those with Levels 1 and 2, but to a heightened degree. Children at this level have severe deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills that cause severe impairments in functioning, very limited initiation of social interactions, and minimal response to social overtures from others. People at this level require the most support, which can include full-time aides.
Autism (Level 1) Symptoms
Autism symptoms differ for each child. However, generally speaking, there are common symptoms for children with Autism-Level 1. Some of these symptoms may be viewed as strengths, while other symptoms can be considered challenges.
Strengths can include:
- Remarkable focus and persistence
- Aptitude for recognizing patterns
- Attention to detail
Challenges can include:
- Hypersensitivities to lights, sounds, or other stimuli
- Difficulty maintaining a typical conversation
- Difficulty with nonverbal conversation skills, such as distance, loudness, or tone during conversations
- Uncoordinated movements or clumsiness
If you believe that your child may be demonstrating Autism-Level 1 symptoms, Ascend Autism is ready to answer your questions about how to best support your child.
Related Reading:
- Early Signs of Autism
- Signs of Autism in Boys
- Signs of Autism in Girls
- Life Before an ASD Diagnosis: Pre-Testing or Screening
About Ascend Autism
Ascend Autism is a valuable resource for children with autism and their families. Over a decade ago, Ascend Autism was founded by a highly-qualified team of healthcare operators and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA).
Ascend Autism provides interventions using evidence-based practices (EBPs) for children with high-functioning autism symptoms. EBPs are therapies and treatments that have gone through rigorous research and review and have been found to be effective for treating children with high-functioning autism. Children with high-functioning autism symptoms who have participated in EBPs have shown positive results and better outcomes.
Along with our therapy programs, we provide a safe environment for children with autism so that they feel secure and free to achieve their treatment goals.
Autism Therapy Programs at Ascend Autism
At Ascend Autism, we offer ABA programs for our students, including:
Find Out How Ascend Autism Can Help Your Child with High-Functioning Autism
Our Ascend Autism team is ready to help children with high-functioning autism. We have treatment programs that are based on methods that are scientifically proven to be effective.
Learn more about Ascend Autism and our track record of success for children with high-functioning autism. Contact us today by calling us or completing our secure online form for more information.
