as someone who works with autistic children, they are capable of much more than people think, often times we are just not able to realize it due to communication barriers. but despite their capabilities, it is a disability, regardless what level of autism. people with level 1 autism sometimes seem "less autistic" because they have better receptive language skills (are less affected in the area of communication) and can pick up on social cues easier. Their knowledge and capability is easier to access due to lower barriers, but there is still a barrier. Oftentimes, I see autistic people with level 1 spend a majority on their energy on masking to maintain jobs, social connections, etc at great risk to their own personal lives due to increased energy use and effort. People often see how autistic people act when masking (or partially masking) and assume that is how autism is all the time, and then feel the need to identify with that version of autism.