Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi I received the report for my sons ASD assessment and I’m struggling to understand the scores given in the assessments carried out is anyone able to point me in the direction of finding out what they mean in severity?
Iain said:It is worth noting that this level (1-3) is used as more of a summary of your state. 1 indicates you don't need much support at all while 2 and 3 are progressively more support requiring.
Iain, with the greatest of respect - and whilst I appreciate that you have only learned about the current diagnostic terms very recently (per our discussion here) - I would urge you not to downplay / understate / risk invalidating the support needs of those with ASD Level 1 by stating that they "don't need much support at all".
Whilst their needs are lower, in relative terms, than the other two levels, they are still very real and of great importance to those with a L1 diagnosis.
The actual definitions are:
Bunny said:Whilst their needs are lower, in relative terms, than the other two levels, they are still very real and of great importance to those with a L1 diagnosis.
Perhaps I come at this from a Gen-X perspective where there was a much greater need for self reliance growing up, regardless of any additional stressers such as autism, ADHD etc.
Most people who qualify as level 1 had been able to survive their lives up until now without specific support for their autism which is why I said they dont NEED it.
They would have benefitted from it certainly, but the vast majority can lead something resembling a normal life even if with some limitations.
If they were unable to hold a job, go out in public etc then I suspect they would be in level 2 where support is clearly needed, hence the reason for this level.
I don't deny that level 1 people do not suffer - I have had plenty of experiences in life where my autism has caused me pain, limitations and complications but I have worked on finding ways to deal with this or accept it rather than expecting outside support.
The diagnostic term, which was arrived at by experts in the field, says "require", which means "need" - and for good reasons. If those needs aren't met, then there are consequences - whether they're visible to others or not.
Camouflaging, for example - which you championed in another thread today - is far from a healthy behaviour.
Please keep in mind that, regardless of the strategies that you have personally chosen to use, when you post here with apparent authority to those who are asking for our advice and support, minimising the importance of supports in favour of projecting your own mindset can be dangerous and harmful. Other forum users would be much better served by being educated with accurate information.
You casually say such things as:
- "Most people who qualify as level 1 had been able to survive their lives up until now without specific support for their autism which is why I said they dont NEED it"
- "the vast majority can lead something resembling a normal life even if with some limitations"
In making such sweeping statements, you ignore the impact on L1 autistic people of struggling to live their lives without the various kinds of support that they do actually need.
Not everyone survives at all, let alone manages to live "something resembling a normal life".
"Figures show that as many as 11-66% of autistic adults had thought about suicide during their lifetime, and up to 35% had planned or attempted suicide (Hedley, D., & Uljarević, M. 2018). Autistic people are also more at risk of dying by suicide than non-autistic people, with the highest risk seen in autistic people without co-occurring intellectual disability, and autistic women (Hirvikoski, T. et al 2020; Kirby, A.V. et al. 2020)."
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/suicide-research
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/archive/2022/04/conversationautismsuicide/
https://www.autistica.org.uk/our-research/research-projects/understanding-suicide-in-autism
https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/nccmh/suicide-prevention/workshops-(wave-4)/wave-4-workshop-2/suicide-and-autism---slides.pdf?sfvrsn=bf3e0113_2
Let's agree, please, to leave the decision about whether or not L1 autistic people really "NEED" supports to the professionals and experts, who have already concluded that they do. Please don't downplay or minimise their importance - presented by you, to others, as supposed fact - despite it suiting your own way of thinking.
Bunny said:my background - along with yours - is irrelevant
This is true and if people are placing much importance on the advice of randoms on the internet then they are likely to experience a world of pain.
There are some on this site who advocte retuning to the oppressive catholic church doctorines of the last century, to bottle up any feelings not sanctioned by the bible etc - clearly not a healthy approach in todays society.
Some are pessimists, some offer positivity but nothing hepful etc.
It can only be hoped that those coming here for advice are smart enough not to trust in without verification is the point I'm getting to.
Bunny said:I hope we can now move forward from this as friends, or at least as cordial acquaintances
I harbour no bad feelings towards you and hope we can find a mutual respect for one anothers positions while engaging in debate where merited.
Thank you for a balanced and refreshingly researched response.