🌍 What is Autism Level 2?
Autism Level 2 is part of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
👉 It is described as:
- “Requiring substantial support”
This means:
- Daily life is more affected
- More consistent support is needed
🧩 Other Terms
- Moderate Autism
- Level 2 ASD
- Autism requiring substantial support
🧠 Key Characteristics
👥 Social & Communication Challenges
- Limited conversational ability
- May use simple sentences
- Difficulty starting or maintaining interaction
- May not respond typically in social situations
🔁 Behaviour & Flexibility
- Strong resistance to change
- Needs routine and predictability 📅
- Difficulty switching tasks
🔄 Repetitive Behaviours
- Repeated movements or actions
- Repeated speech (echolalia)
- Behaviours may affect daily functioning
🏠 Daily Life Impact
-
Needs support with:
- Transitions
- Communication
- Social interaction
- Daily routines
🧠 Mental Health in Autism Level 2
⚠️ Important
👉 Autism is not a mental illness
👉 But mental health difficulties are common
💙 Common Mental Health Challenges
😰 Anxiety (Very common)
- Fear of change
- Social anxiety
- Sensory-related anxiety
😔 Depression
- Withdrawal
- Low mood
- Reduced interest in activities
⚡ Emotional Distress
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Difficulty expressing emotions
🔥 Meltdowns & Shutdowns
-
Caused by:
- Overload
- Stress
- Communication frustration
👉 Not “bad behaviour”
😠 Frustration & Anger
- Difficulty communicating needs
- Feeling misunderstood
- Sudden changes
🧠 Communication-Linked Distress
- Not being able to express feelings
-
Leads to:
- Anxiety
- Behaviour changes
- Emotional outbursts
🚨 Why Mental Health Risks Are Higher
🧠 Internal Factors
- Communication difficulties
- Sensory sensitivity
- Emotional regulation challenges
🌍 External Factors
- Lack of understanding
- Social isolation 👥
- Environmental stress
- Limited access to support
📊 Real-Life Examples
👦 Child
- Uses short phrases
- Becomes distressed when routine changes
- Has meltdowns in noisy environments
🧑 Young Person / Adult
- Needs structured daily support
- Struggles with social interaction
- Experiences anxiety in unfamiliar settings
🤝 Support Needs
People with Level 2 autism often need:
- Ongoing daily support
- Structured routines 📅
- Communication support 🗣️
- Emotional regulation support ❤️
- Sensory adjustments 👂
🛠️ Support Strategies
🗣️ Communication Support
- Simple language
- Visual supports (pictures, symbols)
- Clear instructions
📅 Structure & Routine
- Predictable schedules
- Preparation for changes
- Step-by-step guidance
👃 Sensory Support
- Quiet spaces
- Reduced noise/light
- Breaks when overwhelmed
❤️ Emotional Support
- Calm reassurance
- Safe environment
- Recognising triggers
🤝 Professional Support
- Speech and language therapy
- Behavioural support (e.g., structured approaches)
- Specialist education support
🌟 Strengths
People with Level 2 autism may have:
- Strong memory 🧠
- Attention to detail 🔍
- Honest communication 🤝
- Unique ways of thinking 💡
💡 Key Message
👉 Autism Level 2 requires substantial support
👉 Mental health needs are important and must be recognised
👉 With support:
- Anxiety can reduce
- Communication can improve
- Quality of life improves 🌟
📘 EASY READ VERSION
🧠 What is Autism Level 2?
- A brain difference
- Needs more support
😰 Feelings
You may feel:
- Worried
- Overwhelmed
- Upset when things change
⚠️ Difficulties
- Talking to people
- Change
- Loud or busy places
🤝 Support Helps
- Simple words
- Pictures
- Routine
- Quiet space
🌟 Message
👉 You are different, not broken
📊 POWERPOINT SLIDES
Slide 1 – Autism Level 2
Slide 2 – What is Autism?
Slide 3 – Level 2 overview
Slide 4 – Communication challenges
Slide 5 – Behaviour & routine
Slide 6 – Repetitive behaviours
Slide 7 – Daily support needs
Slide 8 – Mental health link
Slide 9 – Anxiety & distress
Slide 10 – Meltdowns
Slide 11 – Support strategies
Slide 12 – Strengths
Slide 13 – Key message
🎭 ACTIVITIES
🧩 Activity 1 – Feelings
Draw or choose:
- Happy 🙂
- Sad 😔
- Worried 😰
🗣️ Activity 2 – Communication
Practice:
- Asking for help
- Using pictures or symbols
🎭 Activity 3 – Role Play
Practice:
- Change in routine
- Asking for support
🧠 Activity 4 – Scenario
👉 A student becomes upset when the timetable changes
Questions:
- Why are they upset?
- What support would help?
📝 QUIZ
1. Autism Level 2 means:
A. No support
B. Some support
C. Substantial support ✅
2. One mental health difficulty is:
A. Anxiety ✅
B. Broken arm
3. Meltdowns are:
A. Bad behaviour
B. A response to overwhelm ✅
True or False
- Autism is a mental illness → ❌ False
- Support helps → ✔ True
🧾 ASSESSMENT SHEET
Name: __________
Date: __________
🧠 Knowledge
☐ Understands Level 2 autism
☐ Understands mental health link
🤝 Skills
☐ Can identify support strategies
☐ Can recognise distress
❤️ Attitude
☐ Patient
☐ Understanding
🌟 FINAL MESSAGE
👉 Autism Level 2 may be more visible, but the person still has:
- Strengths
- Feelings
- Potential
👉 Mental health must always be considered
👉 With the right support:
- People feel safer
- People communicate better
- People thrive 🌟
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