- There are 3 levels. They describe how much support a child needs, not how smart or capable they are. - Each child gets a level for two areas: communication, and routines and repetitive behaviors. - Levels can change over time. - The full evaluation report tells you much more than the number.
What are the three levels of autism?
When a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, the clinician can add a level based on the DSM-5, the manual used to diagnose autism.1
| Level | Official wording | What it can look like in a child |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Requiring support | Talks, but back-and-forth conversation and making friends are hard. Changes and switching activities can be very hard. |
| Level 2 | Requiring substantial support | Needs clear support to communicate, even with help. Routines and repetitive behaviors often get in the way of daily life. |
| Level 3 | Requiring very substantial support | Communicates with few words, or none. Changes are extremely hard. Needs a lot of help with daily routines. |
These are examples, not a checklist. Two children with the same level can look very different.
Why are there two levels, not one?
Clinicians rate the two core areas of autism separately:2
- Social communication, such as conversation, gestures, and understanding other people.
- Restricted and repetitive behaviors, such as routines, intense interests, repeated movements, and sensory differences.
So a report might say "level 2 for social communication, level 1 for restricted and repetitive behaviors." That tells you where your child needs more support.
What does a level NOT tell you?
A level does not measure:
- Intelligence. Some children at level 3 have average or above-average intelligence; some at level 1 have learning disabilities.
- Potential. It describes today, not what your child will be able to do.
- What will help. Two level 2 children may need very different support.
Researchers have noted that the levels can be hard to apply consistently, because every child's needs vary and change over time.2
Can my child's level change?
Yes. A level describes current support needs, and those can shift as a child learns new skills, as demands change (like starting school), or as support changes. Many teams re-check levels at re-evaluations.
If you disagree with a level, it's fine to ask the clinician to walk you through the examples behind it.
What should I ask after hearing my child's level?
- "Which examples led to this level?"
- "Where does my child need the most support right now?"
- "What services or therapies do you recommend first?"
- "When should we re-check?"
- Treating the level as a prediction
- Comparing your child to another child with the same level
- Waiting for a lower level before starting support
What can help at home, whatever the level?
Clear, predictable routines help children at every level. A visual schedule shows what's happening now and next. A first-then board makes transitions easier to see.
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