AUTISM - Under The Radar
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental lifelong condition resulting in difficulties with social interaction, communication, adapting to change, repetitive patterns of behaviour, restricted interests and sensory hypersensitivity. It is described as individuals being 'neurodivergent' where non-Autistic people are said to be 'neurotypical'. Diagnostic criteria exsist on a continued Spectrum and three levels are now outlined, based on the individuals needs for support.
Level 1- Requires support
Level 2 - Requiring substantial support
Level 3 - Requiring very substantial support
What is now known as ASD, is a consolidation of four previously separated disorders, when in 2013 a revised diagnostic tool was created, the DSM-5.
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A range of diagnostic criteria are mentioned in the 5th Edition of the DSM-5 to diagnose ASD.
If interested, I recommend you research this yourself as the list is lengthy.
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I will summarise the described levels stated in the DSM-5, determined by the American Psychiatric Association.
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Level 1 : Without support deficits in social communication cause noticeable impairments. Difficulty initiating social interactions, atypical or unsuccessful responses to social overtures of others. Appears to have decreased interest in social interactions. Engagement in conversation and making friends is difficult and attempts are often unsuccessful. Inflexible behaviours causes difficulties in many contexts. Difficulty switching between activities and organisational problems limit ability for independence.
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Level 2 : Marked deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication. Limitied initiation of social interactions with reduced and/or abnormal responses to social overtures from others. Simple sentence structure, narrow special interests and markedly unusual nonverbal communication. Other aspects are inflexible behaviour, difficulty coping with change, repetitive behaviours that can interfere with the persons functioning. Distress and/or difficulty changing focus or actions.
Level 3 : Severe deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication causing severe impairments to functioning. Very limitied initiation of social interactions with minimal responces to social overtures from others. May show speech impairments. Only responds to very direct social approaches. Inflexible behaviour, and extreme difficulty coping with change, restrictive repetitive behaviours and extreme distress and/or difficulty changing focus or actions.
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DSM-5 Guideline Reference.
Kristian E Sanchack, (2016) Autism Spectrum Disorder:Primary Care Principles. American Family Physician 2016;94(12):972-979A