Characteristics of Mild Autism
Social deficits: Autistic people might approach conversations and social interactions in an “abnormal” way and have difficulty expressing and interpreting nonverbal cues. This can cause difficulty “developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships.”
Level 1 is the mildest, or “highest functioning” form of autism, which includes those who would have previously been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Individuals with ASD level 1 may have difficulty understanding social cues and may struggle to form and maintain personal relationships.
Children with level 1 autism may find it difficult to engage in conversations. They also may form social bonds, but establishing and retaining friends may not come easily to them. Those diagnosed at this level may prefer established routines and find changes or unexpected events unsettling.
Some common behavioral signs may include: Hypersensitivity to certain sights, sounds, smells, lights, textures, or touch from others. Obsessed with and repeating unusual activities. Difficulty transitioning from one activity to another.
However, a person can be mildly autistic. Mildly autistic people are unable to understand the body language or emotions (sarcasm, pain, and anger) of the people around them. However, they have normal intelligence and can carry out their day-to-day activities.
Someone might describe themselves as having borderline autism when: they suspect they have traits of ASD but do not have a diagnosis. they have some symptoms of ASD but do not meet the criteria for ASD. they have an ASD diagnosis with a severity of level 1.
These children are often notably awkward, and they find nonverbal interaction especially complicated, specifically in situations involving eye contact, sensory sensitivity, spatial awareness, and interpersonal communications.
Meltdowns are overwhelming emotions and quite common in Level 1 Autistic kids. They can be caused by anything from a very minor incident to something more traumatic.
Some developmental health professionals refer to PDD-NOS as “subthreshold autism." In other words, it's the diagnosis they use for someone who has some but not all characteristics of autism or who has relatively mild symptoms.
The recommended treatment for people with mild autism usually depends on age. Autistic children and teens need different support than autistic adults. As with any level of ASD, the most helpful treatments for mild autism often involve a variety of therapies.
There are other brain disorders that mimic autism symptoms, like ADHD and anxiety disorders, including selective mutism. Autism can be misdiagnosed as another disorder with some shared symptoms.
While there is no universal definition of "high-functioning autism," it remains an important distinction: ASD can otherwise be missed if a person doesn't have overt signs and symptoms, such as difficulty with communication, inappropriate social interactions, and repetitive or obsessive behaviors.
In conclusion, a person with autism can absolutely live a normal life with the right support and resources. Early intervention, education, and community support are key factors in helping people with autism achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives.
Autism is not a mental health problem. It's a developmental condition that affects how you see the world and how you interact with other people. Just like anyone else, autistic people can have good mental health. However, people with autism do often experience mental health problems.
A person can also have different levels across the two domains — for example, someone might have level 1 autism for social communication and level 2 for restricted/repetitive behaviors. Each of those criteria has its own degree of support.
In addition to communication challenges, individuals with low-functioning autism may engage in repetitive behaviors such as hand-flapping or rocking. They may also experience sensory difficulties, such as heightened sensitivity to certain sounds or textures.
Signs of High-Functioning Autism in Children
May appear more mature for their age and have above-average intelligence. A tendency to avoid eye contact. Trouble deviating from a routine or adapting to changes. Trouble making friends and maintaining social relationships or not “fitting in” with peers.
Population-based studies have found that, in addition to the individuals with ASD, many others exhibit subthreshold autistic or autisticlike traits (ALTs), that is, problems or peculiarities in sociocommunicative behavior, perception of others and self, and adaptation to the environment that do not meet formal criteria ...
Main signs of autism
getting very anxious about social situations. finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own. seeming blunt, rude or not interested in others without meaning to. finding it hard to say how you feel.