Autism is widely known for being a spectrum disorder, and that means the symptoms can be very different between people, which is important to keep in mind. However, there are different types of autism, with mild autism being a prime factor here. Despite the fact that it’s not an official term, mild autism is indeed used by therapists, parents and teachers as a way to explain how significant the disorder really is. Many call mild autism high functioning autism, and the thing that makes it different is the fact that it covers people with low support needs.

What are the characteristics of mild autism?

One of the first things that a person with mild autism has is a social deficit. It can be very difficult for a person with autism to help maintain a proper conversation and approach it the way normal people would. That means anyone will mild autism will not be able to maintain and develop relationships with other people.

Additionally, other characteristics include repetitive interests, behaviors and activities. That means the person in question will regulate behaviors, repeat words and movements, while also having atypical reactions to various experiences.

How can you diagnose mild autism?

Mild autism can be diagnosed in a variety of different ways. One of the most common methods is a diagnostic assessment, where a psychological evaluation will cover the diagnostic assessment. But there are other methods too like the autism spectrum rating scale, the autism diagnostic observation schedule or the diagnostic interview for social and communication disorders.

Treating mild autism

A person with mild autism has level 1 autism, and they need to receive adequate support and assistance. The treatments focus on reducing anxiety, controlling emotions, adding more flexibility, improving communication skills and also understanding elements of non-verbal communication. There are a multitude of different treatment options, and they mostly involve therapy.

Therapy methods will vary however, they can be anything from behavioral therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, developmental therapy or even physical therapy. The right treatment will be chosen by a medical professional, and it can help convey great results especially if it’s introduced in the earlier stages.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that mild autism is not a severe type of autism, it still has its fair share of challenges. People that have mild autism find it hard to interact with others and communicate with them. They have a strict routine and they are also sensitive to pain, sound and tastes. Since symptoms differ from one person to the other, it can be very difficult to diagnose mild autism.