There are three levels of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Each autistic person is diagnosed as ...

Level 1 autism requires minimal support and includes challenges in communication and social skills. Level 2 autism needs more substantial support due to significant difficulties with social skills and ...

The term was coined in the 1980s by psychiatrist Dr Lorna Wing, whose work transformed how autism was understood in the UK.