What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by:
1. Persistent difficulties in:
- Social communication
- Social interaction
- Nonverbal communication
2. Restricted, repetitive patterns of:
- Behaviors
- Interests
- Activities (RRBs)
These challenges are present from early developmental stages and impact daily functioning across settings (home, school, community).
ASD is now recognized as a spectrum because of the wide variation in strengths and challenges across individuals. Some may need minimal support; others require substantial intervention.
| Levels of Support (DSM-V) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Level | Support Needed | Characteristics |
| Level 1 | Requiring Support | Social challenges without support; difficulty initiating interactions; inflexible behaviors. |
| Level 2 | Requiring Substantial Support | Marked deficits in verbal/nonverbal communication; limited social response; noticeable RRBs. |
| Level 3 | Requiring Very Substantial Support | Severe challenges; minimal social interaction; extreme difficulty coping with change; intense RRBs. |
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Kick Start Therapy provides individualized therapy services using our multidisciplinary team, which consists of
Speech-Language Pathologists, Behavioural Consultants, ABA therapists, Occupational Therapists and many
more rehabilitation therapists.
