How severe is your autism by proposed DSM-V severity levels?

Post Reply New Topic

Here's the text of the proposed severity levels for autism under the new DSM-V definition. What level do you think you (or your child if you are an NT parent) would fit in? I don't know how they will classify people who are different levels for social communicaiton and restricted interests, but for purposes of this poll go with the more severe of the two.

Urgh, I don't understand the levels.

What if your autism makes you react in a way not covered by these sentences? Anyone have an idea about that?

I'm spontaneously thinking of stuff such as loss of skills, different levels of initiation of interaction and reaction to interaction depending on availability of abilities as well as such factors as the target group of said interaction as well as simply varying levels of autistic symptoms depending on environment and possibly other unknown factors.

The fourth option. I can go without support now, ever since coming of age, but autism has shaped my life and personality in such a way, that I'd still have the diagnosis after the DSM revision.

If I got the diagnosis at a child with these DSM V criteria, however, I'd be classed as Level 1, mild.

I wish I knew how they take into account sensory things...

With the descriptions given, going by the more severe of the two, I'd be level 2. The level two social communication part is a good description of me (though people need to take into account that they never see me without support. If my boyfriend's not up to doing the needed support, I'll not go into public.)

Well if my goal was to become neurotypical I would be level two, but its not. So the most support I want is leave me the hell alone if you want to pressure me to live life to your expectations, rush me to hurry up(I can't I process things slowly and its time people just deal with that). So I don't know.

But based on all that i would still fit the level 1 catagory because in its hard in general for me to initiate social interaction and in some situations impossible...and its not anxiety its like a mental block that prevents me from walking up to someone and talking to them unless I know them kind of well or am at a store and supposed to ask questions to find out things. And I demonstrate clear examples of atypical or unsuccessful responses to social overtures of others.

But that seems different from what the proposed changes I have seen look.

I have no idea how to answer that.

All I know is that I've lived my whole life (until now) without diagnosis and support, and I have never been able to function successfully in school, or a job, or socially, at all - specifically due to challenges associated with autism. So the fact that I can't seem to function without support would indicate that I need some kind of support in order to succeed at these things. But how much support? I dunno :/

Personally I think these severity (functionality) levels are too subjective, need elaboration and examples.

I can only guess how relationships (or lack thereof) count, regardless of severity. My guess would be: they don't count at all, especially romantic types.

Anyway, I'm somewhere between these two, depending on many factors (voted for Level 1):

- Level 1 ‘Requiring support’
- I don't require support as defined in DSM-V, but will probably still be classified with ASD based on DSM-V

Wierd scale. Is it meant for children?

There's nothing about executive functioning, sensory issues, shutdowns, or other things that would impact daily living more than just social issues and routine (well need for routine can be severe for some, admittedly).

Also "needs assistance" with social stuff and routine only? So, you get help with social communication, but not for navigating the supermarket to buy food because it overloads you too much? WTF? Is the scale meant for children? Otherwise, it makes no sense to me. Adults have to worry about survival issues.

I chose "lose" in the poll, but I'm thinking that level 1 descibes me. I'm not sure why that is listed as requiring support though. It's not as if you even average social skills to get through life (it's not a great life, but the ability to make friends, get a relationship, or interact with others socially outside forced interactions isn't required.)

I voted for Level 1 for my son, although in less familiar, more stressful situations/environments he is easily a 2.

Level 2 for me overall.

All three apply in social communication and RRB.