Welcome to the world of searching for answers. Unfortunately that's exactly where you are when you get 'the diagnosis'. You've just been told your child isn't going to grow up like everyone else, your child is going to need you like never before... where do you start? I'll have links to getting help on the webpage very soon but just to help you a little now I feel you should know this:



Firstly, remember, you are not alone. Very few parents out there will tell you they had everything explained to them right from the start... many still have to look for everything themselves but thankfully support groups are out there and there's a lot of advice and encouragement to help and support you. One of the mega questions you'll probably need an answer to... but what does his autism diagnosis mean for him, just what is this mild, moderate and severe autism that you're talking about? If you're one of the lucky ones then you were sat down when you were told the diagnosis and had these things explained, but still, even then, there's things you wouldn't remember from that, let's face it, did you really listen to it all properly or were there times when you went into what I call "Homer Simpson mode" and even though you were looking at the person in front of you and you could see their mouths move, all you can remember coming out of them is "blah blah blah blah blah" because you head was swimming at what you'd just been told? (I have a friend who's gonna love me for adding the Homer bit LOL!) There's so much to remember, so much to learn and all you really want in those beginning stages is to understand exactly what it all means for you and your family. 



So! What do those terms mean? Well, your babes diagnosis is on a rating scale. Some of these are called by different terms and I will fill in some of those in the near future but I found the easiest website to explain in super simple easy to understand language is the livestrong.com website... super easy as you will see below... Please remember.... this is NOT my work, this is the work of Stephanie Varney and any reference to it should be made to her and not me... thanks.



3 WAYS TO UNDERSTAND CHILDHOOD AUTISM RATING SCALE

 
Nov 18, 2009 | By Stephanie Varney

1. UNDERSTAND MILD AUTISM
Children with autism can be classified as having mild, moderate or severe versions of this disabling condition, as categorized by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Mildly autistic children can usually be expected to lead relatively normal lives. They can interact with their peers (though they may have difficulty doing so), they often have a high degree of intelligence, and they can engage in normal day-to-day activities without too much assistance. They may have no significant delays in their language and motor skills. Children with mild autism are often referred to as "high functioning." Asperger's Syndrome is considered by many health care professionals to be a high-functioning form of autism, though other professionals believe it to be a different sort of disorder entirely.



2. KNOW THE DEFINITION OF A MODERATELY AUTISTIC CHILD
Children who have a moderate rating on the scale will need a fair amount of assistance in life, especially after they become adults. They will not be able to interact easily with others, and they will retreat into their own worlds unless strongly prompted to pay attention to a parent or teacher. The moderately autistic child will most likely need reminders to attend to such things as hygiene and may not perform well academically. In many cases, these children have language development that is significantly delayed and may have poor motor skills. These children are often mildly retarded and may have obsessive-compulsive tendencies.



3. UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE SEVERELY AUTISTIC
Severely autistic children are rarely able to live on their own, usually requiring extensive care throughout their lives. They are unable to interact with others and often go to live in group homes as adults, where trained professionals are on hand to care for them around the clock. Their language development may not occur at all, or be very late, and they will be awkward with their movements. Severe autistics are often referred to as "low functioning."



This information from Stephanie can be found here: 

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http://www.livestrong.com/article/8228-understand-childhood-autism-rating-scale/#ixzz26H6yuCl9



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You also need to understand the whole set up of the spectrum and this is very much the basics! Just as the word suggests, spectrum means that there's a wide range of difference out there. Although some may seem the same, no two people on the spectrum actually are exactly alike.  Spending time with many will show you that what society portrays as being autism is actually just the tip of the iceberg. The other thing that you need to understand is that (well for the present  anyway as the new diagnostic levels are being evaluated) the following list all come under the one heading of Autism Spectrum Disorder and that there's a whole range of 'symptoms' in between!

In accordance with Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT) the following is currently diagnosed in Australia (the US also includes Rett's Syndrome and  Childhood Disitergrative Disrorder)



Autistic disorder (sometimes referred to as classic autism)​



The diagnosis of autistic disorder is given to individuals with impairments in social interaction and communication as well as restricted and repetitive interests, activities and behaviours which are generally evident prior to three years of age.



Asperger’s disorder (sometimes referred to as Asperger’s syndrome)


Individuals with Asperger’s disorder have difficulties with social interaction and social communication as well as restricted and repetitive interests, activities and behaviours. Individuals with Asperger’s disorder do not have a significant delay in early language acquisition and there is no significant delay in cognitive abilities or self help skills. Asperger’s is often detected later than autistic disorder as speech usually develops at the expected age.



Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) (sometimes referred to as atypical autism)

The diagnosis of PDD-NOS or atypical autism is made when an individual has a marked social impairment but fails to meet full criteria for either autistic disorder or Asperger’s disorder. These individuals may also have communication impairments and/or restricted and repetitive interests, activities and behaviours.



http://www.autismspectrum.org.au/a2i1i1l237l113/what-is-autism.htm