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About Autism
Understanding the Signs, Statistics, and Levels
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that shapes how individuals communicate, interact, process sensory information, and experience the world.
About Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by:
- Social communication differences
- Restrictive and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) and focused interests
- Sensory Differences
- A wide range of strengths and challenges across individuals
Because autism exists on a spectrum, each individual experiences it differently. Autism can range from nonspeaking individuals who need high amounts of daily support, to those who are independent and require low to minimal support. It affects individuals across all ethnic, socioeconomic, and age groups.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2025), approximately 1 in 31 children in the United States has a diagnosis of autism. Because autism can create significant social, sensory, communication, and behavioral challenges, unique safety risks may arise.
Recognizing behaviors consistent with autism can help prevent misunderstandings, escalation, and unsafe interactions.
Common Characteristics
Limited eye contact; difficulty with conversation; delayed or regressed speech; echolalia; trouble interpreting social cues; communication focused on specific interests
Over- or under-sensitivity; strong reactions to sounds, textures, foods, or clothing; sensory-seeking behaviors; difficulty filtering stimuli
Reduced interest in peers; preference for solitary activities; difficulty sharing interests or emotions; limited pretend play; low awareness of social norms
Uneven skills; difficulty regulating emotions; anxiety in unfamiliar situations; literal thinking; challenges with planning, organization, flexibility
Behaviors Repetitive movements; strong need for routines; intense, focused interests; rigid thinking
Limited response to name; few gestures; reduced joint attention and social play; delayed babbling or speech
What Are the Three Autism Levels?
Autism Levels are used by clinicians to describe the amount and type of support a person may need, as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., text rev.; American Psychiatric Association, 2022). These levels are not meant to define an individual’s abilities, personality, or potential. Many people on the autism spectrum require varying levels of support at different times or in different environments, even when those needs are not immediately visible. Because every person on the spectrum is different, the purpose of these levels is to help guide services, accommodations, and understanding rather than to assign fixed labels.
Current Autism Levels describe the degree of support a person may need in daily life:
Level 1 (Requires support): May need support with social communication, flexibility, organization, or managing sensory input.
Level 2 (Requires substantial support): Experiences more noticeable challenges with communication, behavior, and daily functioning and typically needs consistent support.
Level 3 (Requires very substantial support): Needs significant support with communication, routines, and daily care and may rely on ongoing 24/7 assistance across settings.
When it comes to safety, every autism level carries unique risks, and many of those risks can overlap across levels. It’s important not to assume someone’s safety needs based solely on their assigned level, or to believe that fewer support needs mean fewer safety concerns.
Likewise, individuals should never be defined by their level alone. Each person’s strengths, challenges, and safety considerations are unique to them and may change over time. Person-centered support means looking beyond labels and responding to the whole person.
Safety Risks May Include:
Water, traffic, heights, unsafe exploration
Difficulty expressing distress, understanding danger, or asking for help
Meltdowns, shutdowns, bolting, reduced situational awareness
Misinterpretation of behaviors, difficulty complying with commands, fear responses, escalation during crises
Bullying, coercion, abuse, exploitation, boundary challenges
Anxiety, depression, self-injury, isolation, suicidal ideation, burnout, post-traumatic stress disorder
Pica, medication errors, unsafe use of tools or technology, differences in comprehension and judgment
Co-occurring conditions, delayed care, difficulty reporting symptoms
Grooming, oversharing personal information, exposure to harmful content
Fire, heat, or electrical hazards, difficulty with self-care, or recognizing pain or injury, getting lost
Difficulty following instructions, fear of responders, separation from supports
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence in the United States. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/autism
- Brignell, A., Chenausky, K. V., Song, H., Zhu, J., Suo, C., & Morgan, A. T. (2018). Communication interventions for autism spectrum disorder in minimally verbal children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (11). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012324.pub2
- Baio J, Wiggins L, Christensen DL, Maenner MJ, Daniels J, Warren Z, et al. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years – autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2014. MMWR Surveill Summ. (2018) 67:1. 10.15585/mmwr.ss6706a1