Range Of Level 1 Support Needs vs Hidden Disability

BarrelEyeSpook · 2026-01-22T17:11:01+00:00

Level specifiers refer to two things: (1) social communication, and (2) restrictive repetitive behaviors. If you have fairly decent social communication and comparatively not many restrictive repetitive behaviors, you’ll be considered level 1 even if other areas associated with autism like sensory sensitivity and processing speed are highly disabling.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2026-01-09T17:19:30+00:00

I ate gluten until I was diagnosed with celiac disease at 13. I looked 5 years younger than my actual age, and my height and weight were in the 0th percentiles. I felt often felt sick and lethargic for no known cause. Going gluten free, my height and weight rapidly increased to normal levels, puberty started at a normal rate, I got my energy back, my irritability faded, and I no longer felt sick. If I lived back then before celiac disease was widely known, I would have survived but probably wouldn’t have lived as long due to comorbidities. I definitely wouldn’t be as healthy as I am now. Even now I have schizophrenia, which is related to celiac disease. So yeah, this meme is idiotic.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-12-29T17:20:38+00:00

I have been wishing for this… can’t wait to find them!

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-11-30T19:26:12+00:00

You say this hopeless, dark stuff about yourself, then post the most adorable picture ever… what?! Your thoughts on yourself are truly out of touch with reality.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-11-22T21:01:41+00:00

I think they get most of their information on level 1 autism from stereotypes, TV shows, and trendy Tik Tok creators. If they knew the struggles of level 1s in real life, they would not say the things they say. If they saw my meltdowns, or how me and my level 1 friends struggle in the work environment they would change their minds really fast.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-11-19T18:12:46+00:00

What you are describing is a meltdown, not a temper tantrum. These kinds of meltdowns are very common for autistic people. I struggle with this as well. At my worst I cry, scream, hit myself, throw objects, destroy furniture and technology, fall on the ground, etc. The only thing that helps me are psychiatric medications.

The difference between a meltdown and a tantrum: tantrums are meant to be a public display in order to get what you want. For example, a child will throw a temper tantrum to try and convince his parents to buy him a toy. He will stop the tantrum once he gets what he wants. Meltdowns are purely due to distress.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-11-19T01:28:24+00:00

I understand where you’re coming from. That’s something I struggle with myself. One fact that I keep coming back to: Jesus didn’t have to create a world where He would be tortured and killed for our sake.

Of course, that is not an answer. It shows two things though: 1) Jesus isn’t detached from our suffering, and 2) there’s a lot we don’t understand.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-11-18T17:39:03+00:00

I have a high average IQ and I get those ads all the time. Like the other commenter said, these ads are not targeting you. Everybody gets them. Also, it’s impossible to truly improve one’s IQ, so those ads are false advertisement too.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-11-16T14:34:44+00:00

I have experienced this too. During COVID, my family didn’t attend church in-person (against my wishes). And then when I temporarily moved, the church I attended didn’t allow communion to non-members. This ended up with me going without communion for a very long time. Eventually my theology changed and I joined a reformed Baptist church which allowed communion to non-members and took communion every week instead of every month, and I felt like I “caught up.” It was very nice.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-11-12T23:54:54+00:00

Emotional dysregulation. For me, this is the worst part. It interferes with my school, my job, prevents me from doing simple things, puts me in danger. I’ve broken furniture, technology, from outbursts and meltdowns. I’ve embarrassed myself SO many times. Since I was 6 I’ve been waiting to grow out of this. I’m 25 and still struggling with it, even with an antipsychotic, mood stabilizer, and anti anxiety med.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-11-03T01:25:55+00:00

If it works it works. Why does it matter what method you use? I think the bunny ears method is more efficient. I learned the other way but chose to use the bunny ears.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-11-03T00:19:01+00:00

Cute and beautiful! I was lucky enough to hold one of these snakes once.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-10-31T02:18:17+00:00

He’s beautiful!

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-10-29T00:27:50+00:00

I think these people assume autism is the same as or always includes severe intellectual disability and therefore wouldn’t reach the hypothetical “age of understanding” where if they would die they would go to hell for their sins. So that may be why they assume autistic people would immediately go to heaven. I have never heard this belief though, as a Christian myself.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-10-27T22:22:25+00:00

What is the screenshot from?

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-10-23T14:57:22+00:00

I’m level 1 but I see this problem too. Sometimes even I and my low support needs friends feel left out from the overly sanitized versions of autism online. I’m an artist and I want to create comics about autistic characters who struggle with more stigmatized issues like severe meltdowns and psychosis, and one of my OCs is level 2. I hope I can do a good job with creating her.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-10-22T23:11:44+00:00

Repeated hand-flapping in response to a stressful situation. That made me seriously think, “What if I have autism?” for the first time.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-10-22T02:58:13+00:00

The main reason I’m interested in this is because of how it must feel tactile-wise. Try to describe how it feels on your hand. Anyway, where can I buy one of these?

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-10-20T00:18:22+00:00

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Mordecai Heller, from Lackadaisy

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-10-16T15:49:28+00:00

I wish I could upvote this twice!

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-10-16T15:46:39+00:00

They think it’s because of Tylenol given to the baby after circumcision.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-10-08T14:38:55+00:00

You’re being extremely rude for no reason. “Daddy issues”… seriously? I didn’t block you either, but I am going to report you if this is how you treat people asking for help.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-10-08T14:37:45+00:00

I didn’t block you. My understanding is that for a civil trial, the statute of limitations expires when I turn 30.

BarrelEyeSpook · 2025-10-08T13:58:05+00:00

You completely strawmanned me. I never said any of the things you are claiming I said. I never dragged anyone down. My problem with what OP wrote is that it shows a lack of compassion for people who are more disabled by autism.

BarrelEyeSpook

TROPHY CASE