A child can exhibit mild or subtle signs of autism, which is why you may have heard the term “slightly autistic.” Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is called a spectrum because it includes a wide range of symptoms and severity. The most recent diagnostic criteria outline three levels to highlight the variation among children with autism.
Level 1: Requiring support.
“Slightly autistic” is not a diagnostic category, but if you hear someone use this terminology, they may be referring to a level 1 severity level. Children at this level have mild symptoms that have a low impact on their ability to function independently across social, communication and behavior domains of development. Support may come in the form of helping them engage in social interactions that they would not do successfully on their own, or helping them overcome sensory sensitivities that inhibit their ability to engage fully in their community.
Level 2: Requiring substantial support.
Children at this level require more intensive support more consistently. They may have moderate symptoms that impact their functioning on a daily basis across environments. They may demonstrate repetitive behavior that interferes with their ability to attend and learn new skills, or social deficits that impact their ability to make friends. Support at this level typically requires intensive treatment to overcome these deficits and increase their independence and quality of life.
Level 3: Requiring very substantial support.
Children with this level require substantial support because their symptoms are severe enough to impair their social and communication skills, and behavior. They may be unable to function independently and require constant supervision to remain safe.
What Are Some Possible Signs of Mild Autism?
ASD encompasses a broad range of behavioral patterns and experiences. Inconsistency from one ASD case to the next can make it more difficult for caregivers to fully connect the dots. Even so, there are many common behaviors that could point to a possible ASD diagnosis. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these may include:
- Repetitive play or verbal expressiveness (echolalia)
- A fixation on certain activities, ideas, or concepts
- A reluctance to engage in new experiences or to disrupt routines
- Aversion to certain forms of interaction, especially hugging or cuddling
- Avoiding eye contact and being difficult to engage in conversation
- Missing verbal or physical cues, such as not looking at where someone is pointing
- Having difficulty understanding others’ feelings or talking about feelings in general
- Reluctance to socialize or a preference for isolation
- Trouble expressing their needs or wishes
- Unexpected reactions to certain sights, sounds, textures, or smells
- Tantrums or explosive aggression with unexpected triggers
It is also possible that any of the above behavior signs could be related to something other than autism, such as if a child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, trouble sleeping, or seizures. This possibility should encourage those in the child’s life to seek a diagnostic assessment from a professional who can advise caregivers how best to address the child’s needs.
What do I do if my child has mild symptoms of autism?
Even if a child has mild symptoms of autism, parents and guardians should still take proactive steps to seek a diagnosis.
When a child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), caregivers can work with professionals to develop appropriate strategies in response. These strategies help children thrive in their environment through appropriate accommodations, therapy, and parent training.
While some children with autism may rarely encounter challenges related to their disorder, others with mild symptoms may find that negative experiences increase as they get older. This can lead to unwanted stress, potentially up to the point of a crisis event. In extreme cases, a child could lose opportunities to advance in school or other life areas.
Understanding a child’s needs is important. Individuals in their life should never brush away observations that a child might have a behavior disorder. Instead, they can educate themselves on the signs of ASD and look into the next best actions to take.
Ignoring the possibility of an autism diagnosis, especially if a child seems mostly neurotypical, can make it more difficult for them to adjust and have their needs met. For this reason, teachers and caregivers who observe subtle signs of ASD should talk to their pediatrician and work with specialized diagnostic evaluators (e.g., clinical psychologist, neurologist) to seek a differential diagnosis.
A child’s parents, teachers, and others with a direct role in their life are the best observers when it comes to picking up on a possible autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Only a licensed mental health professional can come to a full, accurate diagnosis, but you don’t have to be a professional to suspect that an ASD diagnosis is possible.
Any Form of Autism Can Benefit From a Therapeutic Approach
Mild signs of autism can be detrimental to a child’s wellbeing when caregivers neglect to investigate further. People with autism can be given strategies and support that can reduce the negative impact of their difficulties and help them be successful while still being completely and utterly themselves.
Once you begin talking with professionals about your child’s unique situation and any unexpected behaviors or occurrences, you can begin to understand him or her better. With support from clinicians and the community, you can provide conditions and strategies that encourage your child to have a less stressful, more fulfilling life.
If you think your child or a child in your life might have autism, take the first step toward seeing if they need extra care, attention, and support from you. Seek a diagnosis and support from professionals who use an evidence-based approach to achieve goals that help children thrive.
BlueSprig offers evidence-based autism treatment, including assessments post diagnosis for treatment purposes. Contact us today with concerns or for resources to help you determine if your child has ASD and the steps to take after receiving a diagnosis.