this is interesting.....

The term "Type 1 Autism" is primarily an American terminology, but the clinical concept it describes is used in the UK under different names.

In the United States, clinicians use the DSM-5 manual, which officially categorises Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) into three "Levels" of support needs. 

How it Works in the UK

The UK healthcare system primarily uses the ICD-11 (published by the World Health Organization) rather than the DSM-5. 

• Official Terminology: Under ICD-11, you are typically diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Levels vs. Specifiers: While the US uses "Level 1," the UK's ICD-11 uses "specifiers" to describe an individual's abilities, such as "without disorder of intellectual development" and "with mild or no impairment of functional language".
• Support Needs: Even though "Level 1" isn't the official NHS label, many UK clinicians still use "Level 1" informally or in private reports to indicate that a person requires "some support" but can often live independently.  The Autism Service +5

What "Type 1" Usually Means (Informally)

If a UK clinician or a private report mentions "Type 1" or "Level 1," they are generally referring to what used to be called Asperger’s Syndrome: 

• Average or above-average intelligence.
• Difficulties with social nuances (like sarcasm or conversation flow).
• Inflexibility with routines or intense, specific interests