What is ASD 2 like?

[Statest16]

I can't really answer the question because I'm not level 2 or a pshychologist.What I do know is that this new system is more organized than the older one and that's good but there also lies a problem.I think there are functioning levels within the official diagnoses functioning levels.Some people might be on the border of level 1 and level two or some may be on the border of level two and level 3.

I'm DX'ed level one,but I'd call myself about a 1 and a half,but definitely not 2,about 1 and a half.

Back when Donna Williams was alive,Temple Grandin said that she thought Williams was more severe than she was.I think both Williams and Grandin would be level 1's although Williams died before the new system,but Grandin thought Williams was more severe.There are a lot of grey areas to be aware of.

The world of physical disabilities is much clearer,in spinal injuries doctor's can tell what a person will or won't be able to do down to the centimeter just from X rays or MRI's right after the injury.There are no grey areas,a disabillty is known precise to the vertebrae where the injury occurred.

No MRI or Xray can see inside a neurological system there is surely a spectrum to be aware of within the diagnosable functioning levels.I'm not disrespecting the new 3 level system at all,I think it's good,but don't be naive to the grey areas in between.

 

[Sarah S]

I do not see it as an exact science at all. It is a case by case thing. There is no one size fits all. And then corresponding comorbids make it even more individualistic. I know you know that, I am just stating it for the record.

i dident mean for it to aimed as a criticism towards you Ezra.

And further more according to online tests that are made for actually help professionals to determan what youre "mental (also Intellectual age )" i got stuck in 6 and stopped at 9 my self (usely with Mild ID you are around 12-13 ) & i have to say i agree and it actually fits were i started to go down hill in school (leaving elementary ) i did have problems from 1 grade tho (ie 6 in my case) same also with my IQ level actually according to serious online tests. im always under 10 (shrugging shoulders )

 

[Sarah S]

I see this idea that all people who previously had an Asperger's diagnosis should automatically be recategorised as ASD1 as flawed, as Asperger's can vary a lot in traits and overall severity... I've seen some members here who were diagnosed with Asperger's who need a lot of help, who cannot live independently as adults and live in supported accommodation, for example, and surely are ASD2 - the only reason that they were initially diagnosed with Asperger's as opposed to autistic disorder being that they had no speech delay.

One or two other members who were diagnosed with Asperger's have said that they feel that they would belong in the ASD2 category, rather than ASD1.

I agree with you this is going to be a ongoing discussion i belive (i mean the faculty not us here now) and there is realy no exact way to measure this things i belive. and were not alone in wondering how this new level system is working i assure you this.

As i said in my case i have traits and criterias from both 2 -3 and yet im still able to live alone BUT i do have and have always had and will ALWAYS need support behind me when i need it.

so with this levels thing and you automatically assumed you live in a support home unable to function in the reel world need constant physical support around you 24 / 7 is wrong . And im one of the proof that it is. and Ezra since we discussed earlier so you dont feel im attacking you this is not aimed at you my friend

 

[Ezra]

i dident mean for it to aimed as a criticism towards you Ezra.

I did not take it that way. I totally agree with what you said. I was just adding my thoughts to it but saying it more to readers in general.

 

[Sarah S]

I did not take it that way. I totally agree with what you said. I was just adding my thoughts to it but saying it more to readers in general.

A okey well then were all good my usual misunderstanding then

 

[Progster]

so with this levels thing and you automatically assumed you live in a support home unable to function in the reel world need constant physical support around you 24 / 7 is wrong .

No, I did NOT automatically assume that a person with ASD2 automatically needs to live in a support home... I said that there are cases of people diagnosed with Asperger's who live in support homes who surely would meet the diagnostic criteria for ASD2.

 

[Sarah S]

No, I did NOT automatically assume that a person with ASD2 automatically needs to live in a support home... I said that there are cases of people diagnosed with Asperger's who live in support homes who surely would meet the diagnostic criteria for ASD2.

It wasent aimed at you Progster. I would never aim anything like that towards anyone i was just agreeing what you said. I see i was a tad blurry in my statement tho

So heres what i meant to write

So with this level 2 -3 you are often automatically assumed from others that you live in a support home and that youre unable to function in the reel world & need constant physical support around you 24 / 7 & its wrong. And im one of the proof that it is.

I do hope im more clearer now and if i managed to make you belive i was criticizing you please accept my apology

One of my gazillion problems is just this. I think and mean to put something in one way and it comes out wrongly at the other end especially in writing (ie online )

And again i agree with youre previous statement Progster.

 

[Ezra]

I see this idea that all people who previously had an Asperger's diagnosis should automatically be recategorised as ASD1 as flawed, as Asperger's can vary a lot in traits and overall severity... I've seen some members here who were diagnosed with Asperger's who need a lot of help, who cannot live independently as adults and live in supported accommodation, for example, and surely are ASD2 - the only reason that they were initially diagnosed with Asperger's as opposed to autistic disorder being that they had no speech delay. One or two other members who were diagnosed with Asperger's have said that they feel that they would belong in the ASD2 category, rather than ASD1.

As far as I know speech delay was the only difference between getting a diagnosis of Aspergers or mild classic autism. Which seems silly to me, giving separate diagnosis names over a singular small difference. And there are level 1's who seem closer to level 2 and level 2's who seem closer to level one. And there is always the comorbid factor. There are Aspergers / Level 1 who do need assisted living. But probably it is due to other factors being involved. In my case I also have severe motor coordination problems which make me like someone with cerebral palsy. So I have problems and challenges and need kinds of support, therapy and assistance that other level 2's don't.

 

[Ezra]

I agree with you this is going to be a ongoing discussion i belive (i mean the faculty not us here now) and there is realy no exact way to measure this things i belive. and were not alone in wondering how this new level system is working i assure you this.

As i said in my case i have traits and criterias from both 2 -3 and yet im still able to live alone BUT i do have and have always had and will ALWAYS need support behind me when i need it.

so with this levels thing and you automatically assumed you live in a support home unable to function in the reel world need constant physical support around you 24 / 7 is wrong . And im one of the proof that it is. and Ezra since we discussed earlier so you dont feel im attacking you this is not aimed at you my friend

I need a support home. Already have one picked out to move into. And at my family home I am not to be left in the house alone. It really just depends on the individual is what I have learned all these years on autism forums. Not everyone who is like me, is totally like me. There are differences.

 

[Progster]

It wasent aimed at you Progster. I would never aim anything like that towards anyone i was just agreeing what you said. I see i was a tad blurry in my statement tho

So heres what i meant to write

So with this level 2 -3 you are often automatically assumed from others that you live in a support home and that youre unable to function in the reel world & need constant physical support around you 24 / 7 & its wrong. And im one of the proof that it is.

I do hope im more clearer now and if i managed to make you belive i was criticizing you please accept my apology

One of my gazillion problems is just this. I think and mean to put something in one way and it comes out wrongly at the other end especially in writing (ie online )

And again i agree with youre previous statement Progster.

It seems that I am the one who owes an apology, as I misinterpreted what you meant to say, I'm sorry. Yes, It's clear now and I agree - people shouldn't make assumptions about that one can and can't do - now that I think more about it, there have been other forum members, both here and elsewhere, who were diagnosed with ASD level 2 but who live independently, who are in relationships, one person who finished university... each person has their own individual strengths and weaknesses, will need support in one area, but perhaps not in another.

As far as I know speech delay was the only difference between getting a diagnosis of Aspergers or mild classic autism. Which seems silly to me, giving separate diagnosis names over a singular small difference. And there are level 1's who seem closer to level 2 and level 2's who seem closer to level one. And there is always the comorbid factor. There are Aspergers / Level 1 who do need assisted living. But probably it is due to other factors being involved. In my case I also have severe motor coordination problems which make me like someone with cerebral palsy. So I have problems and challenges and need kinds of support, therapy and assistance that other level 2's don't.

Yes, for sure comorbid conditions play a role in this. People like my brother, who isn't diagnosed with ASD but has many traits and is probably on the spectrum, who has Tourettes, learning difficulties and coordination issues, who lives independently but still needs a lot of support.

 

[Ezra]

When I was younger if someone on a forum said they are level 3 but can manage independence, I would have thought / said, that's impossible! But these days I know it is possible.

 

[Sarah S]

It seems that I am the one who owes an apology, as I misinterpreted what you meant to say, I'm sorry. Yes, It's clear now and I agree - people shouldn't make assumptions about that one can and can't do - now that I think more about it, there have been other forum members, both here and elsewhere, who were diagnosed with ASD level 2 but who live independently, who are in relationships, one person who finished university... each person has their own individual strengths and weaknesses, will need support in one area, but perhaps not in another.

Yes, for sure comorbid conditions play a role in this. People like my brother, who isn't diagnosed with ASD but has many traits and is probably on the spectrum, who has Tourettes, learning difficulties and coordination issues, who lives independently but still needs a lot of support.

Oh it was all my fault on this one when i re read it i had to emidietly rectify the completely wrong statement that came out in my reply . Yes and i also know utliest one other member in here who also is ASD 3 that seems to also live in own home and the rest same as me. So this goes for both 2 - 3 level in which its stipulated to assume one needs more substantial support and so on.


In my case the ONE IQ criteria im actually "average " (hence im still on 80-90 well actually even there they claim me to be under average ) average is verbal understanding (incl how i speak in writing (ie online ) Actual writing i SUCK ! Yes i agree with you on this we also have to take in to account the possible co morbids. + as i also stated numerous times also gender. Its a known fact that men gets more " visible " or out showing criterias whereas females are more subtle and less out showing.

 

[Sarah S]

When I was younger if someone on a forum said they are level 3 but can manage independence, I would have thought / said, that's impossible! But these days I know it is possible.

Would you belive me if i said it was shocking to me as well to finally find out i was already diagnosed Autism (and according to the criterias im Severe) and with this new levels im ASD 3 ?

 

[Sarah S]

I need a support home. Already have one picked out to move into. And at my family home I am not to be left in the house alone. It really just depends on the individual is what I have learned all these years on autism forums. Not everyone who is like me, is totally like me. There are differences.

Nothing wrong with that. I had my mom behind me ALL my life (until she sadly got Alzheimer's ) + a battalion of others both relatives (i dident even know they were there for me in the background even (incl my reel father who left when i was born ) as well as pro`s thru out my life (Still have from my reel dad + my VERY dear friend (older then me ) that i actually helped WAY back when he was close of going under. He have now takend on bacikly the role my mom had. I can call him 24/ 7 if i need him and he`s also there to help with what i need help with (over here its called my Good man = pretty much my life mentor and support) i wouldent be here if it wasent for him & he calls me pretty much every day to check how im doing. I wouldent make it without the support i do have when i need it with the things i need help with simple as that. And im NOT ashamed to admit it either

WELL spoken my friend

 

[Ezra]

Would you belive me if i said it was shocking to me as well to finally find out i was already diagnosed Autism (and according to the criterias im Severe) and with this new levels im ASD 3 ?

Yes. Personally I'm usually too confused by stuff I'm told about my neurology to be shocked. Listening to it being told by some white coat sounds like this to me:

 

[Sarah S]

Yes. Personally I'm usually too confused by stuff I'm told about my neurology to be shocked. Listening to it being told by some white coat sounds like this to me:

Belive me i understand. Most of what i know today reg all my diagnosis is from my own THURAL and deep fact based investigations not from the so called professionals or there papers. + they have tossed in the towel (given up in testing for the multiple more diagnosis i clearly have due to the odds of finding them all is almost non existing (docs words from my last evalution doc) in when they dicoverd my ASD So im on my own now on this since then

 

[Major Tom]

All right, I’m not very good at answering broad questions like this, but I’ll give it a try.

I was actually diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome back when that was an official diagnosis and was never given a “level,” but based on descriptions and the fact that there seems to be a big difference between me and many “high-functioning” people, I’m guessing if I was re-assessed I’d be diagnosed with level 2 ASD. Not entirely sure what’s because of my autism, what’s just me, and what might be due to something else, though.

Let’s see, biggest differences... In my social skills group, where most of the participants seem to be “higher functioning” than me, I’m the only one who obviously stims the whole time. People almost a decade younger than me already have jobs and are looking at living on their own, but it’s entirely possible that neither is possible for me, making a lot of the stuff they cover irrelevant to me.

I have selective mutism, which I think is probably tied into the autism/social anxiety - actually, it feels like I have two different ways of being unable to speak, and one is more like extreme social anxiety, where I get so nervous I’m literally incapable of forcing my vocal cords into action, and another where I pretty much can’t form a coherent sentence even in my head, which seems more like an autism thing.

Sensory issues are a huge thing for me. I have major issues with getting wet and with getting out of water I’ve been submerged in long enough to get accustomed to it. This includes baths and showers, I use a wet washcloth and soap for my body and my mom washes my hair in the kitchen sink while I mostly shut down because of sensory overload. I end up mostly to completely shut down every time I go to a store or restaurant because of overstimulation, although now I have a service dog who helps that not happen so readily. In college, the fire alarms in the dorms were so horrible with the noise and flashing lights (and crowds of people as everyone poured out of the building) that I’d still be shaking half an hour after we were let back in. Late summer is horrible for me because of the cicadas, they are annoying at best indoors, and if I’m foolish enough to step outside while they’re busy buzzing, it is literally painful even with covering my ears or wearing noise-cancelling headphones.

On a related note, I’m also completely incapable of filtering out “background noise.” Every noise requires just the same amount of attention as far as whatever part of my brain is concerned, and I can’t convince it otherwise.

Speaking of attention, I’ve recently realized that I have an overwhelming need to know about absolutely everything about what’s going on around me, which I typically use my hearing for (except in a car, I’m watching out the window as well as taking in what’s happening in the vehicle - that’s part of why I really don’t think I should drive even if I can eventually get a license, because my brain can’t just focus on the road and “tune out” everything else outside, it’s all equally important to my brain and it will focus on things it shouldn’t be while driving no matter what I do. ). This means if I try to use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones to deal with noises that are a problem for me, I usually freak out because I can’t monitor my surroundings properly.

I also have trouble keeping up with daily tasks like brushing my teeth, cleansing, and even eating. And I have an annoying tendency to just turn alarms off, go back to finish up what I was doing, then forget that I was supposed to do whatever the alarm was supposed to remind me about, so they don’t work reliably for me.

That’s what I could think of off the top of my head, I’m happy to answer any questions about this or anything I forgot to cover

Gahh cicadas... My worst enemy. I have ASD-1 so I can't really tell you what ASD-2 is like, but I'm assuming there's a marked difference between ASD-1 and ASD-2 . One thing to always remember is no two people are alike, so you could have 2 people with the same labels and they experience totally different symptoms. Good question I think, but it's too broad to answer with any form of accuracy.

 

[Au Naturel]

@BrokenBoy , there is no single set of traits to determine which severity level one has. Rather it is an estimation by the neuro-psych specialist about how much support the person needs.

• 1s need minimal support.
• 3s need major support.
• 2s need support somewhere between the other two.

As others have pointed out, 2s & 3s require special education [a.k.a. short-bus autism].

I guess I'm a level 1. I still like the term "Asperger's" better. I can be an "Aspie" and that rolls off the tongue nicely.

"ASD Level 1" sounds inhuman and clinical.

 

[Crossbreed]

I guess I'm a level 1. I still like the term "Asperger's" better. I can be an "Aspie" and that rolls off the tongue nicely.

"ASD Level 1" sounds inhuman and clinical.

"Aspie" is still used colloquially.

 

[BrokenBoy]

There's nothing wrong about being clinical and I don't think it's inhuman.