The Hidden Truth About Autism Levels That Your Doctor Might Not Be Telling You
It seems like more and more kids are getting diagnosed with autism these days. The number is now 1 in 36, and it keeps going up. But for a lot of families, the diagnosis itself doesn’t offer much clarity or hope. It can actually leave you with more questions than answers.
If you’re a parent on this journey, you’ve probably heard a lot of talk about “neurodiversity” and being “proudly autistic.” While it’s so important to love and support every child for who they are, the reality for families with a child at Level 2 or especially Level 3 autism is often a lot more difficult than these conversations let on.
You’re living with a child who might not be able to speak, who struggles to sleep, and who gets so overwhelmed by sensory input that it leads to hours of distress. It feels like your child’s nervous system is stuck in overdrive, and you’re running on fumes, just trying to hold everything together. And through it all, you’ve likely heard the same message again and again: “It’s genetic. This is just how your child is wired.”
But what if there’s a deeper reason? What if something is actually causing your child to struggle with connection, regulation, and development?
A Mother’s Journey from Despair to Hope
Let me tell you about Jacqui and her son, Luke. Their story might sound a lot like yours.
Luke was hitting all his milestones until about 13 months old. Then, everything changed. He stopped talking. He stopped making eye contact. Sleep became nearly impossible. He was inconsolable, struggled with sensory issues, and seemed to drift away from the family who loved him so much.
Jacqui found herself asking the question that so many parents secretly ask themselves: “Will my son ever heal? Will he ever be the same again?”
It was an incredibly hard time for their family. But Jacqui refused to accept that this was just “the way it would be.” She became a warrior for her son, determined to find real answers and real solutions.
The turning point came when they discovered Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care. While Luke was also getting traditional therapies, Jacqui noticed something different about this approach. She said, “Chiropractic has been our #1 tool the whole time. It helped Luke progressively calm and retrain his nervous system so his body could start connecting and healing on a deeper level.”
The biggest breakthrough happened right in the chiropractor’s office. After an adjustment, Luke said his first words again. Everyone was filled with so much joy and hope. Soon after, he started speaking regularly again.
Today, at 10 years old, Jacqui says, “Luke is healed to a degree that I wasn’t sure we would ever get to. I hoped we would, I prayed we would, and I put in the work to make sure he would, but you just never know. He’s a healthy, happy, calm 10-year-old who lights up every room he’s in and will talk your ear off all day!”
Understanding the Levels of Autism
The current diagnostic system puts autism into three levels based on the support a person needs:
- Level 1 requires some support, especially for social communication and repetitive behaviors. These children often do well in many areas but need help with social situations and handling change.
- Level 2 requires substantial support. Communication delays are more obvious, and repetitive behaviors can interfere with daily life.
- Level 3 requires very substantial support. This level involves severe communication challenges and extremely limited social interaction.
These levels are helpful for getting the right educational and therapeutic support. But here’s the thing most families are never told: these levels don’t address the underlying neurological dysfunction that creates these traits in the first place.
And even more important: your child’s level isn’t a life sentence. When you address the root neurological issues, these levels can change over time.
The Real Root Cause Doctors Often Miss
This is where traditional medicine often falls short. While genetics do play a role, the full picture is much more complicated. The real trigger for autism often comes from a series of stressors and toxins during critical developmental periods. This creates the neurological dysfunction that leads to autism traits.
We call this “The Perfect Storm”—a chain of events that can include:
- Fertility challenges or high maternal stress during pregnancy
- Birth trauma from interventions like C-sections, forceps, or vacuum extractions
- Low birth weight or prematurity
- Early exposure to toxins, antibiotics, and other medications
These factors create an imbalance in the nervous system. The sympathetic “fight or flight” response gets stuck in overdrive, while the parasympathetic “rest, digest, and regulate” system gets suppressed or even shuts down.
This neurological imbalance then affects your child’s whole body and brain. It can disrupt digestion and gut health, trigger immune system challenges and neuroinflammation, and cause difficulties with motor skills and development. It can also lead to behaviors like stimming, tics, and toe walking.
Why Levels 2 and 3 Are Different
The main difference between the levels isn’t just in the symptoms—it’s in the depth and severity of the neurological dysfunction. Children with Level 2 and Level 3 autism typically have much more significant nervous system dysregulation than those with Level 1.
This doesn’t mean Level 1 kids don’t face real challenges—they often struggle with sleep, digestive issues, and sensory processing. But the severity is generally more manageable with various therapies.
The critical factor is timing and intensity: the earlier and more severe a child’s exposure to these stressors was, the stronger the connection to their level of autism later in life. This helps explain why some children need minimal support while others need a lot more.
A Revolutionary Approach: Measuring What Matters
What makes neurologically-focused care so powerful is that we don’t have to rely only on symptoms. Advanced technology, called INSiGHT Scans, can actually measure the depth and severity of nervous system dysfunction.
These specialized scans measure things like neuroinflammation, motor tone, and overall nervous system dysregulation. This helps practitioners know exactly what’s going on with your child’s nervous system so they can create a completely customized care plan.
There are no more “one-size-fits-all” approaches. Instead, this technology uses what are called “Neuro Metrics” to identify how severe the sympathetic dominance and nervous system dysfunction truly are.
Most importantly, this approach allows families to track true healing over time. You can know for sure that the care isn’t just treating symptoms on the surface; it’s addressing the real, deeper causes.
What This Means for Your Family’s Future
If your child has been diagnosed with autism at any level, this information should give you hope. The current level of support your child needs doesn’t define their permanent limitations—it just shows you where they are right now.
The most important thing for your child’s progress isn’t just managing their current symptoms—it’s addressing the neurological dysfunction that’s creating those symptoms in the first place. When the nervous system begins to heal, children at any level can make remarkable progress.
This doesn’t mean the journey will be easy or that every child will have the exact same outcome. But it does mean that with the right approach—one focused on root causes instead of just symptoms—your child has the potential for growth and healing that you may have been told wasn’t possible.
Your Next Steps as an Empowered Parent
You don’t have to accept the idea that your child’s future is limited. You don’t have to settle for “it’s just genetics” or “this is how they’ll always be.” Your instincts as a parent matter, and if you feel there’s more that can be done, you’re probably right.
Start by learning more about neurologically-focused care for autism. At Health From Within in Orland Park, IL, we understand “The Perfect Storm” and use INSiGHT Scans to measure and track nervous system function. If you aren’t local to us, you can check out the PX Docs directory to find an office near you.
Remember Jacqui’s words: “I hoped we would see healing, I prayed we would, and I put in the work to make sure we would.” Your dedication and advocacy for your child matter more than you know.
Every child deserves the chance to reach their fullest potential. Every family deserves hope. And every parent deserves to know that their child’s current challenges don’t define what’s possible for their future.