Published on 12, July, 2020
...Autism is a spectrum and everyone is different. What characterises a diagnosis of autism is if it has an impact on ones daily life. I am classed as "high functioning" but currently do not know what this means. Overload as a result from doing less than what someone who is not autistic can do. This means currently bare minimum of activity because intolerance and sensory input cannot be regulated. Working hours are reduced because of the struggle to cope with full time even though preference is to work more. The load is primarily from executive function difficulties which also include the social aspect and sensory. Fatigue on a daily basis which impacts everything. So, when people make throwaway comments like "we're all a bit autistic" or "I think my dog is a bit autistic" (yes, I was present), or labels like "high functioning", or someone gets imposter syndrome thinking they are "not autistic enough", just remember - the difficulties faced - on a daily basis - which many people do not face. I'm not saying no-one else has problems, but they are of a different kind.
I like the modern way of just specifying the support level. Autism is just too complicated to have a single line representing function. You can have an IQ of 190 and may be able to navigate life, but then you can still not know your emotions, be floored by some stimulus, or have been so mistreated in the past that you now have other secondary mental health conditions. So, for me, support level is a good way. (Though people can describe themselves in any way they like, as far as I am concerned. I don't think policing terms is right.)
I didn't get a support level, as far as I know, it was just 'yup, you're autistic."
Do they give support levels in the UK? I was never given one. In the eyes of social services my daughter is officially my carer. Whether that would make me level 2 I wouldn't like to say.
firemonkey said:Do they give support levels in the UK?
BeccaLovesBreakfast said:I didn't get a support level, as far as I know, it was just 'yup, you're autistic."
Whether or not we're given a support level to accompany our diagnoses depends on whether we were diagnosed under:
- The DSM-V classification standard, in which case a support level must be specified, or;
- The ICD-10 standard, which doesn't use them.
Both are in use across the UK, so it's normal for some people not to be given that specifier. Diagnoses made under the older DSM-IV standard also didn't include support levels.
I didn't think they did. Current thinking as far as I know is that it reduces stigma and helps stop people saying stuff like "oh but he's obviously MORE autistic than you, dear..." or something.