Vulnerable

VLD said:

Is a reasonable adjustment a support need then?

This is interesting.

I personally think that asking for adjustments at work is a support need - I think I've had lots of 'support needs' during my life but they haven't been met, which has led to stress and breakdown.

Level 1: Requires Support

Level 1 describes autistic people who require support but have low support needs. They may have a hard time communicating with neurotypical people, including their peers. For example, they may not say the right thing at the right time or be able to read social cues and body language.

They may also have trouble moving from one activity to another or trying new things. It may be a struggle to organize and plan their lives, and independence for them may differ from neurotypical expectations for people their age.3

Support needs for autistic people with low support needs may include:4

• Group or individual therapy designed to boost communication and social skills
• Support at school or work, including help with environmental factors like lighting or noise
• Independent living skills, to build confidence with managing a home or planning a schedule
• Identifying any mental health needs and appropriate treatment

It's not uncommon for autistic people with Level 1 support needs to mask their autism fairly well, and this can lead to challenges accessing the care they do need.5 They also may have their autism diagnosed later in life, or exhibit similar traits without a formal autism diagnosis.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-the-three-levels-of-autism-260233

I have been thinking about the level 1/2/3 system lately. I didn’t get a level assigned by my assessment (I think it’s a US thing?) but I always assumed I would have been level 1.

But I think the levels hide the spikey nature of the condition.

In many ways I’d be considered extremely high functioning or gifted and thus people just didn’t realise I was ASD at all. But that doesn’t take account of the extra struggle I was hiding to appear they way.

More importantly, my biggest spikey deficit - social communication - seems profound. In that aspect i suspect I would be higher than level 1.

It’s all hypothetical anyway, as there is no support for adults.

Deleted User said:

More importantly, my biggest spikey deficit - social communication - seems profound

I was at classical autism level for social communication. I was never given a level re support needs, but a diagnosis of  Asperger's would suggest 'level  1' . However I stack up badly compared to more than a few people  who are also regarded as level 1.  I certainly don't compare well  to a good number of people on these forums ;  when it comes to achievements and functioning. That's not to say those people have no difficulties. It's a comparative thing, rather than a yes/no thing.

They tend to mask to a far greater degree than I do. That can lead to a far greater chance of burnout  than is the case with me. 

Deleted User said:

More importantly, my biggest spikey deficit - social communication - seems profound

I was at classical autism level for social communication. I was never given a level re support needs, but a diagnosis of  Asperger's would suggest 'level  1' . However I stack up badly compared to more than a few people  who are also regarded as level 1.  I certainly don't compare well  to a good number of people on these forums ;  when it comes to achievements and functioning. That's not to say those people have no difficulties. It's a comparative thing, rather than a yes/no thing.

They tend to mask to a far greater degree than I do. That can lead to a far greater chance of burnout  than is the case with me.