Level 2 autism.

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I am in the UK so this doesn't even apply to me. But I'm just interested in what level 2 autism (DSM) actually is supposed to be? I can imagine level 1 and level 3, but level 2 seems hazy to me.

A person with Level 2 Autism requires "substantial" support.

Such a person is probably able to attend to his/her basic needs (toileting, hygiene, dressing) without too much trouble. Such a person could probably make use of verbal speech or gestures to communicate with others very well.

However, a Level 2 person exhibits autistic symptoms even when supports are present. Such a person is not able, at any time, to "hide" the fact that he/she is autistic; it is quite evident at all times.

Thanks that helps.

i might be a level 2 then?

As I mentioned in another thread because of non recognition of masking and stereotypes a lot of people diagnosed with level 1 severity are probably level 2. I find the seemingly automatic renaming of people who were diagnosed with Aspergers or people who would be diagnosed with Aspergers sans new manual as level 1 to be problematic.

My husband would probably be a level two. His sensory issues are so severe, the only reason he didn't get HFA at the time was no speech delay as a child.

Also the psychologist loathed to give a HFA diagnosis to a person who was working with a family because of the stigma. So my husband was diagnosed was Aspergers, but has much more in common with a level 2 diagnosis.

I wonder how "Rain Man" would be classified. Believe it or not, I just saw the movie for the first time. I assume a Level 2. Correct?

I would say Level 2, mostly.

He has a Level-3 lack of social awareness or intent, though.

For rituals and behaviors, what would be level 2? I can have noticable distress/frustration of change, having only occasional obvious stimming, with interests evident to others and needing intensive support.

I was given a Level 2 diagnosis.

Rain Man today would be low functioning today. Back in the 80's, if you were verbal, you were called high functioning. Maybe people on the very mild end and those with AS were labeled as having other disorders like ADHD, behavior, learning disability, emotional disability, and others. I found a book once in a used book store and it was about kids with learning disabilities and it was the original edition that was published in 1984 and I skimmed through it and read some stories and wondered how many of these kids today would have been diagnosed as being on the spectrum.

Rain Man would be medium-functioning. He can take care of his personal needs and talk. He doesn't seem intellectually disabled in any way. He only self-injures if he is under a considerable amount of stress. He can communicate on a basic level.

In the scene in the elevator, I sensed that Rain Man really liked the girl, though he couldn't express it.

The main problem with him is his reliance on routine and his lack of any social sense. Both are rather extreme symptoms in him.