Navigating a child’s autism diagnosis can feel overwhelming. When professionals diagnose your child with autism, they assess the severity level – Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 – to describe how much support your child needs in daily life. As a parent, you might be worried about how your autistic child’s unique needs will affect their learning, social interactions, and daily life at home. Understanding the different severity levels of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can help you provide the right support for your child. Let’s break down these levels and what they might mean for your child’s life.
Level 3: Requiring Very Substantial Support
Social Communication
If this is the level that your child is at, your son or daughter may have severe deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication skills. They might have very limited initiation of social interactions and minimal response to social overtures from others. For example, a child with Level 3 autism may have few words of intelligible speech and rarely initiate interactions. They might also struggle to understand and use gestures, facial expressions, and body language.
- Impact: Your child may need highly individualised educational programmes with one-on-one support. Social interactions can be very challenging, so support through social skills training is crucial. At home, routines and consistency are vital, and your child might need significant help to cope with daily activities and changes.
Restricted, Repetitive Behaviours
If your child exhibits extreme difficulty coping with change and engages in repetitive behaviours that markedly interfere with their functioning in all areas, this could indicate Level 3 autism. They often show great distress when their focus or routine is changed and may have intense interests that dominate their activities.
- Impact: These behaviours could make it difficult for your child to adapt to new situations and changes in routine, both at school and at home. Helping them through structured environments and consistent routines can alleviate some distress.
Level 2: Requiring Substantial Support
Social Communication
If your child is at Level 2 for Social Communication, they may have marked deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication skills, even with supports in place. Your child might have limited initiation of social interactions and exhibit reduced or abnormal responses to social overtures. For instance, a child with Level 2 autism might speak in simple sentences, such as “I want juice,” but may not be able to carry on a conversation. They might engage in limited interaction focused on specific interests, like repeatedly talking about their favourite TV show without noticing if the listener is interested.
- Impact: Structured learning environments with visual supports and clear routines can help your child. Social interactions are challenging but can improve with support. Social skills groups and therapy are beneficial. At home, consistent routines and visual schedules can help manage inflexibility and other challenges.
Restricted, Repetitive Behaviours
If your child often displays inflexibility of behaviour and difficulty coping with change, engaging in restricted or repetitive behaviours that are noticeable to others and interfere with functioning, their autism diagnosis might place them at Level 2. For example, they might insist on following the same routine every day and get very upset if there is a change.
- Impact: These behaviours can cause distress and make transitions and changes in daily routines difficult. Behavioural strategies and a supportive environment can help manage these challenges.
Level 1: Requiring Support
Social Communication
If your child is at this level, they can communicate in full sentences and engage in conversation but may struggle with social interactions and often have noticeable impairments. They might have difficulty initiating social interactions and exhibit atypical responses to social overtures. For example, your child with Level 1 autism might engage in conversation but struggle with the back-and-forth nature of social interactions, such as not knowing how to continue a conversation after a greeting. They might also find it tough to make friends because they may not understand the social cues that other people give.
- Impact: Your child might do well in mainstream classrooms with appropriate supports like social skills training and occupational therapy. Making friends can be tricky though, so social skills training and peer mentoring can be very helpful. Helping your child develop routines and strategies for managing daily tasks can support their independence at home.
Restricted, Repetitive Behaviours
If your child has behaviours that cause significant interference with functioning in one or more contexts, such as difficulty switching between activities and problems with organisation and planning, they might be at Level 1. For example, your child might find it hard to stop one activity and start another or may have trouble keeping their school materials organised.
- Impact: Helping your child develop organisational skills and providing support for transitions can aid their independence and reduce distress.
What could an autism diagnosis mean for your child?
A diagnosis of autism won’t change who your child is or how much you love them. However, it might mean that the supports your family seeks and the opportunities that your child receives may change or increase. Formal identification of autism can open doors to various resources and supports that can greatly benefit your child.
- NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) funding: With a diagnosis of autism, your child will also become eligible to apply for NDIS funding. This can help finance necessary supports and services to meet their unique needs and could include things like speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural interventions, and more.
- Funding at Preschool or School: Your child’s educators may be able to access additional staffing or resources to better support your child’s learning and social development.
- Educational Support Plans: Schools can create Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) tailored to your child’s specific needs, ensuring they receive the appropriate accommodations and support.
- Specialised Programmes and Camps: Your child might have access to specialised programmes and camps designed for children with autism, which can provide both therapeutic benefits and social opportunities.
- Therapeutic Services: Beyond preschool and school, you can access a range of therapeutic services which can help with behaviour and learning.
- Assistive Technology: Your child may become eligible for assistive technology devices, which can aid communication and learning.
- Respite Care: Through the Australian Government’s Carer Gateway, you may receive access to free support to help you in your role as the carer of a person with a disability. This could include things like counselling, support groups and respite care services
Steps to Take Following a Diagnosis
- Liaise with your family doctor: GPs can assist with a referral to a paediatrician who can provide a specific Medicare Plan that funds up to 20 allied health sessions. This could be helpful if you are waiting for your child to access the NDIS
- Engage with Professionals: Regular consultations with a multidisciplinary team, including child psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, early intervention specialists, and special educators, can help you to take a ‘whole child’ approach to supporting your son or daughter and stay on track with their development.
- Utilise NDIS Funding: Apply for NDIS funding to access a range of services that can support your child’s needs.
- Educational Support: Work with your child’s school or preschool to develop an Individualised Education Plan (IEP) that outlines the specific supports and accommodations your child requires.
At Kids First Children’s Services, we have supported hundreds of families whose lives are touched by autism. Our therapists have extensive experience and work collaboratively to help children to overcome their challenges and meet their goals.
If you have any concerns or questions about your child’s development, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Call Kids First today on 9938 5419. We’re here to help!
