Medically reviewed by Kira Graves, PhD Key Takeaways Mild autism is unofficially used to describe level 1 autism, or ...

The functioning labels for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aren’t part of a formal diagnosis and are considered outdated. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It’s caused ...

"High-functioning autism" (HFA) is a term used to describe people with a certain level of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They have milder symptoms and fewer challenges than those with more severe ...

Emily Laurence is a journalist, freelance writer and certified health coach living in Raleigh, North Carolina. She specializes in writing about mental health, healthy aging and overall wellness. For ...

"Everyday Neurodiversity" will be dispelling myths and enhancing understanding of neurodiversity, specifically autism. It’s based on experiences shared by autistic adults and my experience as a ...

This is what the autism spectrum looks like. It is not a gradation from high to low functioning. Source: Jessica Penot, LPC If you are an autistic person who can hold a job and pay bills, you will ...

Autism may present differently in people assigned as female at birth. A key feature is masking or camouflaging symptoms. This may result in a later diagnosis. Research suggests females are more likely ...

Borderline autism is not a diagnosis — it is an informal term some people may use to describe mild symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Social communication difficulties and repetitive ...