What are signs of level 2 autism as opposed to level 1?

Post Reply New Topic

I’m curious to see where I fall. I have never been formally diagnosed with autism now turning almost 19, but a therapist was sure I had it at 16, and I myself am sure I have it too. I have a hard time functioning and am now a highschool dropout going nowhere in life. I’m curious what the signs of level 2 functioning(moderate) would be as opposed to level 1. I have other issues as well so I’m not sure if it can all be chalked up to autism. Would someone with level 2 autism even be able to go through life undiagnosed or would it always be caught early on? I have had numerous outbursts and involvement with the police due to aggressive behavior in my life so I’m just curious if this can be attributed to a moderate degree of autism. Any knowledge on this topic would be greatly appreciated

I was diagnosed Level 2 at age 49.

I went my whole life without a diagnosis, but that's because I didn't seek one until then.
After age 18 no one could suggest it for me.

My teachers, parents, employers, etc., all knew I had glaring "differences" whether it had a name or not.
I went to speech therapy as a child, and other psychology / psychiatry for specific issues as an adult.

The clinical difference is that I had more anecdotal evidence of ... everything ... for my diagnostic appointment, and my functional score data was consistently low (around 5th percentile or less).

I do need substantial support.
That doesn't mean I get it.
It means I suffer tremendously, putting myself at risk, or else I avoid life altogether.


What did I do before?
Well, I was robbed, beaten, raped, exploited, deceived, and scammed several times.
I was a victim of identity theft.
I lost all my assets in the world to a con artist, including my home.
My husband left me for another man, and took all my money.
I raised my children alone and had a clinical nervous breakdown (adrenal system failed).
I had strokes.
I had nearly all of my internal organs replaced or removed.

I struggle most with personal safety and being vulnerable to others because of NVLD.

Also:

Mutism
Face blindness (can barely watch TV or movies / can't recognise anyone)
Can't read people's eyes or expressions (reading the wrong vibe)
Don't really make my own facial expressions (sending the wrong vibe)
Difficulty with inferences and understanding people's motive
Auditory and Verbal disabilities (I learn only by reading)
No masking skills (can't blend in)
Being far too honest
Expecting others to be honest (trusting too many people)
Emotional dysregulation


Alexithymia - not understanding my own emotions
Poor Interoception - not knowing my body signals (hunger, thirst, fatigue, fear, safety)
Agoraphobia
Scopophobia
Stimming in public
No eye contact (I barely even face people)
Won't use telephone or leave voicemail messages
Won't answer doorbells
Difficulty expressing emotions even to my own family
Need for routine
Sensory Processing Disorder - extreme
Photophobia, Misophonia, Smellophobia, Texturophobia, Foodophobia
Avoidance of sunshine (blackout curtains, special glasses)
I get sick from electric light, sunlight, cooking smells, human speech sounds
Need for routines and "same" things which are predictable

Shutdowns, meltdowns, self-harm, avoidance
BFRB's too numerous to list
Not knowing how to self-advocate
Not knowing how to ask for help




Supports I've had since diagnosis:

Trauma Psychologists (three)
ASD Social Worker
Occupational Therapist (about 200 hours)
Lawyers and court-support services
Speech-Language Therapist
Equine Therapy (for PTSD)
Neuropsychologist and Neuropsychiatrist
General Psychiatrist
Geneticist (looking for gene mutation)
Hypnosis
Physical Therapy
Vestibular Therapy
EMDR
Medications
Permanent Long-Term Disability benefits
I'm also allowed a caregiver / assistant at most venues

Level 2 autism is another way of saying moderate autism. Usually level 2 autistics have a spiky profile in their symptoms, like they can be high-functioning in some ways but low-functioning in other ways.

Evidence I don't function without support:

When I didn't have support, I tried to do things on my own and failed miserably. Sure I went to school and had a career but they nearly killed me (stress, lack of support, medical problems, frequent hospitalisations, adrenal collapse, strokes).

I was also vulnerable to assault and exploitation. This is because I couldn't read people, read danger, pick up nuance or inference, understand motive, or see cause and effect. That's all part of my non-verbal learning disability which is part of my ASD. In that respect if I didn't have ASD I likely wouldn't have been manipulated and assaulted (or at least, not to the same extent).

Even though it might seem like I'm doing OK now, that's because I have the liberty of avoiding everything I don't like. I don't go to work, don't go to school, and don't interact with anyone or anything I don't want to. It's a trade-off I've had to make, to survive without a full-time caregiver.

If I were to try living a "normal" life I would need a caregiver 24/7 so that I don't fall into the same traps as before.

I'm not sure what you mean.
How am I able to do so much of what?
I don't do much at all.
I left work on disability.
I pay the bills from disability pay /retirement pay.

I don't think I get away with anything at this stage.
I put in all the effort about 20-30 years ago.

I don't have an intellectual disability or low IQ.
My daughter helps me with activities out of my comfort zone.

I'm in my 50s.