In an online attack, I was recently accused of being "dangerous and damaging" to the autistic community. Why? Because I used the phrase "level 1 autism" which was, I was informed, "outdated and ableist."

As an autistic woman and mother of an autistic son, I consider myself a neurodiversity advocate. Much of my time is spent helping people to accept, normalise, and embrace their autistic traits and experiences and encouraging them to ask for accommodations that help them adapt the world around them to their needs or differences.

But this doesn't mean I reject the fact that there are vastly differing experiences of autism and that people, including parents of autistic children, should be allowed to choose language that makes sense to them and fits with their values without risking being silenced for doing so.

Per the DSM, there are three levels of autism. Level 1 autism includes people of average or above-average intelligence who can lead largely independent lives. Level 2 autism includes people who need higher levels of support, and level 3 autism includes people who need........

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