Internship Task 2

Task 1
Talk about the three different levels of autism in the context of the cases you
have observed. Kindly quote case examples. What are some of the behaviours which
might be more prominent in the severe level of autism but not as much in mild and
moderate levels of autism?

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a complex developmental condition that

manifests differently in each individual. The spectrum encompasses a wide range of
symptoms, behaviours, and levels of impairment, leading to the classification of three main
levels of autism, based on the severity of symptoms and the level of support individuals
require:

1. Level 1: Requiring Support

o This level of autism is characterized by mild impairments in social
communication skills and behaviours. Individuals typically exhibit noticeable
difficulties in initiating and sustaining social interactions, which can include
challenges in making friends or maintaining conversations. They may also
display inflexibility in routines or have difficulty coping with change.
o While individuals at Level 1 may not require substantial support for daily
activities, they often benefit from structured environments and some degree of
assistance in navigating social situations or managing transitions.

OBSERVATION OF CASE: MILD LEVEL OF AUTISM

I observed a case of 2-year-old boy, who has mild level of autism, maybe he
was not diagnosed with it but there were symptoms of mild autism, the child
had a joint attention when someone enters the room, the child was fulfilling
the developmental milestone to join 2 words by his age, but still he has
chances to fall into the spectrum till 3 years if not exposed to early
interventions to seek support, guidance and help from family and school.

One major symptom: one-to-one can be better with family and in school.

2. Level 2: Requiring Substantial Support

o At this level, individuals experience moderate impairments in social
communication and behaviour. They may demonstrate more pronounced
challenges in social interactions, such as difficulty understanding social cues,
maintaining back-and-forth conversations, or adapting to changes in routines.
o People with Level 2 autism often require more structured support to navigate
daily life. This may include assistance with planning and organization,
managing sensory sensitivities, and learning social skills through specialized
interventions and therapies.
OBSERVATION OF CASE: MODERATE LEVEL OF AUTISM

I observed a case whose age must be around 5 to 7-yers-old boy, whose chief
complaints revolved around, that he do things by himself(don’t tell his parents
about it), troubles communicating his needs to his parents, constantly lay on
the floor for hours, lacks communication developmental milestone according
to his age, is not able to understand things by not being able to respond after
hearing(sometimes).

One major symptom: Lacks speech and understanding.

3. Level 3: Requiring Very Substantial Support

o Level 3 represents the most severe form of autism, characterized by significant
impairments in both verbal and nonverbal communication skills, as well as
restricted and repetitive behaviours. Individuals at this level may have
minimal to no verbal communication abilities and struggle profoundly with
social interactions.
o Individuals with Level 3 autism require intensive support across all aspects of
daily life, including personal care, communication aids or alternative
communication methods, and specialized educational or vocational programs
tailored to their needs.

It's important to note that autism is a spectrum, and individuals can display a wide range of
abilities and challenges across different areas of functioning. The levels are used primarily to
guide support and intervention strategies, ensuring that individuals receive the appropriate
assistance to maximize their potential and quality of life. Each person with autism is unique,
and understanding their specific strengths and challenges is crucial in providing effective
support and promoting their overall well-being.

In severe levels of autism (Level 3 on the autism spectrum), individuals typically exhibit
behaviours that are more pronounced and pervasive compared to those seen in mild (Level 1)
and moderate (Level 2) levels. Some of the behaviours that might be more prominent in
severe autism include:

1. Minimal or No Verbal Communication:

o Individuals at Level 3 autism may have limited or absent speech. They might
communicate primarily through gestures, vocalizations, or using augmentative
and alternative communication (AAC) devices.

2. Severe Social Impairments:

o Difficulty in understanding and engaging in social interactions is more
profound. They may show little interest in socializing or forming relationships
with peers and adults.

3. Sensory Sensitivities:
o Heightened sensitivities to sensory stimuli (e.g., lights, sounds, textures) are
often more severe. This can lead to extreme reactions or avoidance behaviours
in response to sensory inputs.

4. Repetitive Behaviours and Stereotyped Movements:

 o Repetitive movements (such as rocking, hand-flapping, or spinning objects)
and adherence to rigid routines or rituals may be more frequent and intense.

5. Limited Interests and Activities:

o Individuals may engage in highly restricted interests or activities, focusing
intensely on specific topics or objects to the exclusion of other interests.

6. Challenges with Daily Living Skills:

o Significant difficulties in performing daily tasks independently, such as self-
care routines, managing personal hygiene, or following simple instructions.

7. Aggression or Self-Injurious Behaviours:

o Some individuals may exhibit aggressive behaviours towards themselves or
others, including hitting, biting, or self-injurious behaviours like head-banging
or scratching.

8. Difficulty with Transitions and Changes:

o Greater resistance and anxiety when faced with changes in routines or
transitions between activities.

9. Intellectual Disability:
o In severe cases, there may be co-occurring intellectual disability, affecting
cognitive functioning across various domains.

10. Sleep and Eating Challenges:

o Difficulties in sleeping patterns (insomnia or irregular sleep-wake cycles) and
eating habits (selective eating, refusal to eat certain foods) are common.

These behaviours reflect the significant challenges faced by individuals with severe autism in
multiple aspects of daily life. Effective support strategies typically involve intensive,
individualized interventions aimed at improving communication skills, managing sensory
sensitivities, and enhancing overall quality of life through structured environments and
specialized therapies.