"High-functioning autism" describes autistic people who can complete some daily tasks and blend into society. People with high-functioning autism can have trouble starting conversations and ...

Mild autism is unofficially used to describe level 1 autism, or high-functioning autism. People with mild autism might not get diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood because their traits are subtle.

Readers weigh in on the challenges of defining and diagnosing the condition. To the Editor: Re “In New Focus on Autism, Some Worry the Spectrum Is Too Broad” (front page, Oct. 5): One thing’s for ...