Understanding Level 3 Autism in Young Children
Autism is a developmental disability that affects each child differently. Some children on the autism spectrum have higher support needs, particularly in areas like communication, daily routines, and social interaction.
What Do the Autism Levels Mean?
The three levels of autism come from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and are used to describe how much support a person on the spectrum might need:
Level 1: Requires support (for example, in social situations).
Level 2: Requires substantial support, particularly with social communication and flexibility.
Level 3: Requires very substantial support across many areas.
It’s important to remember that these levels are not fixed - a child may need a higher level of support in one area and less in another and their support needs might change over time. A better goal is to understand each child's unique strengths and support areas and develop a teaching program that is tailored to them and their family.
What Might Level 3 Autism Look Like in Young Children?
Children might need additional support in a range of areas, for example:
Daily routines: Needing help with daily routines like feeding themselves, dressing, or toileting.
Communication: Difficulty expressing wants, needs, or feelings - for example, not yet being able to communicate easily and relying on body actions or gestures, like taking you by the hand to show what they want.
Understanding instructions: Multiple supports to help them follow everyday instructions like “time to go” or “let’s get dressed.”
Wanting predictability: Preferring things to happen in a certain way or order, and becoming distressed when routines change.
Safety awareness: Not yet understanding or recognising danger, such as road safety.
Sensory sensitivities: Being overwhelmed by lights, sounds, or busy places.
Behaviours of concern: When extremely overwhelmed, a child may hurt themselves or others - for example, hitting their head or biting. These behaviours are often a response to stress, sensory overload, or difficulty communicating their needs and feelings.
Key Areas of Support
Children with Level 3 autism are very capable of learning!! Key areas to focus on might include:
Personal independence: Supporting children to eat, drink, dress, and use the toilet with higher levels of independence.
Communication: Helping children to express themselves - through speech or a visual or speech-generating high-tech communication tool - so they can let others know what they want, need, how they feel, or when they don’t want to do something and so on.
Safe transitions: Teaching children how to move safely and independently from one place to another, such as walking with a parent when going to the car or at the supermarket.
Enjoying interests: Encouraging children to explore and take part in activities and hobbies that they love, which supports wellbeing and joy.
Health and safety: Helping children learn important routines like taking medicine, brushing teeth, or tolerating medical check-ups in a safe and supportive way.
How Grow Can Support Your Child and Family
Our team is strongly committed to working alongside children and their families to support learning, wellbeing, and quality of life. We believe all children grow - and that everyone grows in their own time and grows best with the right supports.
If you have any questions, or if you’d just like to talk more about what support might look like for your child, please reach out. We’re here to help.