According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 54 children is on the Autism Spectrum. We hear the term Autism Spectrum often, but what exactly does it mean?

​

In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association grouped five neurodevelopmental disorders into a single diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Before that, they were five distinct disorders:

​

1.  Autistic Disorder

2. Asperger Syndrome

3. Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

4. Rett Syndrome

5. Pervasive Developmental Disorder

 

Today, Autism Spectrum Disorder is categorized by the amount of support an individual will need:

​

• Level 1: Requiring Support

• Level 2: Requiring Substantial Support

• Level 3: Requiring Very Substantial Support