For those diagnosed, what level are you?

I wonder when diagnosticians started giving levels and what the guidance is for determining them.   I was diagnosed at the end of 2018 and it only confirmed that I'm autistic, although it did also include the ICD-10 code for Asperger's.  But I only got a brief letter and no report.  Feeling shortchanged.  

Levels is a DSM-5 thing I think. We're in an odd position in the uk. For most things we'd use ICD-10 but the ICD-10 was dragging its heals over advances in understanding in autism so most diagnosis's refer to the criteria in the DSM-5. Now ICD-11 is a thing the NHS will gradually swap its reporting to the WHO (something its obligated by treaty to do) from ICD-10 to ICD-11. When that happens I expect DSM-5 will stop being used as a reference for uk autism assessments. ICD-11 also has subclasification codes but they're more for classifying intelligence and whether the autistic person is verbal / communicative or not. They're not intended to indicate a required level of support the way the DSM-5 levels are.

That sounds a lot more appropriately nuanced. In one way I like the DSM 5 for not segmenting so much that you’re left feeling not autistic ‘enough’ (so to speak), but as someone for is functioning independently (I work, I pay a co-own mortgage, I don’t require a support worker of any kind) I sometimes feel a bit odd about that ‘everyone in all three levels requires support’ dimension not really being in play in my life. Am I the only one? 

I'm definitely not un-traumatised! The last few years in particular have been a massive struggle mentally and emotionally. I suppose paying to see a therapist, and talking some things through with trusted people, etc. all counts as support. Those things are ongoing.

Probably not.  But I imagine it depends upon the environment and how safe and confident you feel.  And you might be that rare animal, an untraumatised autistic person. 

I seemed to  function independently for most of my adult life (incl. jobs, mortgages, marriage etc), but often things would come crashing down around me when I failed to deliver on something apparently easy and obvious.  And, although I had the trappings of conventional success, my inner world was something else entirely.  

I think it can be complicated.   

Probably not.  But I imagine it depends upon the environment and how safe and confident you feel.  And you might be that rare animal, an untraumatised autistic person. 

I seemed to  function independently for most of my adult life (incl. jobs, mortgages, marriage etc), but often things would come crashing down around me when I failed to deliver on something apparently easy and obvious.  And, although I had the trappings of conventional success, my inner world was something else entirely.  

I think it can be complicated.   

I'm definitely not un-traumatised! The last few years in particular have been a massive struggle mentally and emotionally. I suppose paying to see a therapist, and talking some things through with trusted people, etc. all counts as support. Those things are ongoing.