What is Severe Autism ?

Severe Autism (sometimes referred to as Profound Autism) is usually associated with the following characteristics:

  • Very likely to require 24/7 levels of care/supervision
  • may include self-injurious or other aggressive behaviors    
  • language/ functional communication can be limited    
  • IQ < 50      (verbal, nonverbal, full scale) indicating an inability to reason for themselves  AND/OR minimally verbal speaking in single words

Dr. Catherine Lord

George Tarjan Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Education

UCLA Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior

Autism Science Foundation Day of Learning 9/2020