Has autism been classified into different levels?

Question

Has autism been divided according to the level of seriousness? If yes, what are the criteria/factors that result in a patient falling under that level?

EXAMPLE of what i meant:

Level of seriousness: servere

criteria : cannot count from 1 - 10.

--> so those who cannot count 1 - 10 would be classified as having severe.

I'm in desperate need of finding this out! Please do help me! a million 'thank you's. :DD

Answer 1

i did a research report about autism in the eleventh grade. when it comes to classification i don't think there is numerical system. probably some way diagonosis.  

Answer 2

Level of functioning varies at each level and their are many comorbidities so the lines of where one ends and the other begins are blurred at best.  Also since Autism is dx on clinical opinion, yes you can get a psychosocial assessment completed by a professional but not for less than 3 grand.  And most people don't do that, at least not initially.

The beginning of the autistic spectrum is PDD.NOS, also called provisional autism, and also called autistic feautures.  These people do not meet criteria for the DSM-IV-TR dx.  There is some signs of autism, but its not always obvious.  The IQ is broadly within normal limits for most cases.  But someone that has a degree of mental retardation can also show autistic features.  So they can go together.  For most spectrum individuals the language and the PDD are pulling down their score, so its not super reliable plus the assessor isn't that skilled with ASD's.

Asperger's have more anxiety, social impairments, but better academic skills especially concerning language.  They are literal, and jokes, idioms, sarcasm eludes them just as every other degree of the spectrum.  Asperger's have difficulty making friends and are frequently picked on.  They may talk in a flat monotone.  They stand out a bit more, and people may think they are odd, eccentric, bright ect.

HFA- high functioning autism may have some cognitive impairments.  They are not as concerned with making friends as asperger's.  They spend time being self-absorbed but do connect and engage.  They are more likely to have fine motor delays, and speech and language delays.  May need support as an adult.

MFA-medium functioning autism is the same as HFA but more limitations.  More time than not being self absorbed, not interested in friends, are verbal but little functional or conversational speech, more behaviors, more frustration, more cognitive impairments.  Would be living as an adult with some degree of support.

LFA-nonverbal, degree of cognitive impairments varies.  May be able to type, may be incontinent, still may be able to hold a job with support (a job coach).

MFA and LFA are usually considered classic autism or Kanner's.

The DSM does not differentiate levels of autism other than PDD.NOS-asperger-autism.  Just about everybody else does though.

With the counting thing, its hard to differentiate into who on the spectrum may not count.  Some don't count because they are severely apraxic but cognitively know the numbers 1-10.  Not everybody with severe autism or LFA can't count.  Some that are MFA are attached to people have some verbal ability yet don't count by age 10.

Answer 3

Autism is a spectrum, so yes, it is classified into different levels.

Answer 4

from what I know, autism is classified in what is known as the ASD or the Autism Spectrum Disorders. there are three types: classic autism, which is more severe than Asperger's Syndrome which is more severe than Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified.

you can find more about these on wiki and referenced sites :-)

Answer 5

I think many people are autistic and don't even know about it. They still manage though.

Answer 6

I'm a level 4!!  

Answer 7

Yes there are different levels of autism.  What I know of is high functioning autism and low functioning autism.  Asperger's fits on the higher end while classic autism sits on the lower end.

Answer 8

There's Asperger's syndrome at one end, high functioning autism in the middle and severe autism at the other end.

Answer 9

I dont know but would be intrested to find out myself, good luck.

Answer 10

Autism is a spectrum disorder,meaning it can vary from mild to profound.

My son has mild autism and Aspergers,he has language and memory skills,his social ability is lacking somewhat but he has friends and is doing well in school.

Early intervention is key to treatment .http://www.autism.com/autism/index.htm

Hope link helps♥

Answer 11

yes.

the levels go into far more detail than being able to count, and the term 'autistic' has broadened over the last 30 years to such a degree that it includes people like albert einstein (who did not begin talking until the age of four) and bill gates.  Gates has been diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome, a very high functioning level of autism.

in the last five years in the US autism diagnosis has skyrocketed just as ADD diagnosis skyrocketed 15 years ago.  it is far more likely that this is the case because of additional funding to schools for children with these diagnosis and the money to be made by pharmaceutical companies than due to an increase in the percentage of children with real problems.

this does not mean that Autism has disappeared, just that the diagnosis can mean a wide variety of problems.

the separate groups have different types of qualifiers, so you should discuss with the person who made the diagnosis what criterion they used and what type of autism they mean.  

Answer 12

Have you been reading a DSM, is this where you are getting your info? because, if you are not educated on how to use it you may  make a mountain out of a mole hill. The answer is NO, Just because one can not count to 10 does not mean that it is severe. I am educated on how to use the DSM as I have taken classes pertaining to mental health. Be careful not to misconstrue what you are reading. Here is a link to DSM. see if it answeres your questions but dont take things out of context. http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disord...