What are the 7 types of autism?

There is no official list of seven. Online lists mix older diagnoses, support levels and profiles such as PDA. Today there is one diagnosis, autism spectrum disorder, with three support levels.

Are there different types of autism?

Autism affects people differently and support needs vary. Formally there is one diagnosis with three support levels, and a person can have the same or a different level in each of the two criteria areas.

What causes autism spectrum disorders?

This guide does not cover causes. Ask your GP or paediatrician, or call Autism Connect on 1300 308 699 (8am to 7pm Monday to Friday), if you want to talk about your own family.

Autism levels & types

Types of Autism: Every Type Explained

Q: How many types of autism are there?

Clinically there is one diagnosis with a support level. Before May 2013 several separate diagnoses existed, including Autistic Disorder and Asperger's Disorder. People still use older terms to describe themselves.

Last updated 24 October 2026 · 7 min read · By Sarah M., Support Coordinator

In short

The types of autism people ask about are not separate diagnoses: today there is one diagnosis, autism spectrum disorder, and it includes support levels (Level 1 to Level 3) in the DSM-5-TR. Older labels such as Asperger’s disorder still appear in everyday conversation, and PDA is a profile some people use.

This guide sets out how autism is described in Australia, which labels are outdated and where to find support.

Key points

Since the DSM-5 was published in May 2013, Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder and PDD-NOS have been replaced by the single term autism spectrum disorder.
A diagnosis today includes a support level: Level 1 needs support, Level 2 needs substantial support and Level 3 needs very substantial support.
A person can have the same or a different level for social communication and for repetitive behaviour, special interests or sensory differences, and levels can change over time.
Terms such as atypical autism, subtypes and the female phenotype are informal or older terms, not separate diagnoses.

Autism types at a glance

Current diagnosis	Autism spectrum disorder, with a support level
Who can assess it	A qualified clinician or team; talk to your GP about where to start
Support that exists	Therapy, school adjustments, community supports and NDIS funding if you meet the access requirements
Free helpline	Autism Connect on 1300 308 699, 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday
Where to read more	Raising Children Network and Amaze

Support levels and older labels compared

Feature	Support levels today (Level 1 to 3)	Older labels and informal terms
What it is	Part of one diagnosis, autism spectrum disorder	Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, PDD-NOS and atypical autism
Where it comes from	DSM-5-TR criteria	Earlier diagnostic manuals, or informal everyday use
What it describes	How much support a person needs in each of two areas	A pattern of traits or an older diagnosis a person may still use for identity
NDIS	NDIS funding depends on meeting the access requirements	Ask the NDIA or your GP how an older diagnosis fits
Criteria areas	Two areas: social communication, and repetitive behaviour, special interests or sensory differences	Described in earlier manuals before May 2013

What are the different types of autism?

Raising Children Network explains that DSM-5-TR autism criteria cover two areas: differences in social communication skills, and repetitive behaviour, intense or special interests, and sensory sensitivities or differences (Raising Children Network).

Level 1 describes people who need support. It is sometimes called “mild autism” in everyday talk, but a person’s support needs are their own.
Level 2 describes people who need substantial support.
Level 3 describes people who need very substantial support.
PDA is described by Aspect as an anxiety-driven need to resist and avoid everyday demands, and is not a separate level.

How many types of autism are there?

Today there is one diagnosis with three support levels. Answers of 4 or 7 types usually refer to older labels or informal terms.

What are the 3 main types of autism? Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3, the support levels in the DSM-5-TR.
What are the 4 types of autism? Often a list of older labels such as Autistic Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder and PDD-NOS, which the DSM-5 replaced.
What are the 7 types of autism? Not a clinical list; it may mix older diagnoses, levels and profiles such as PDA.
Why labels still matter: some people identify with an older term, and that identity deserves respect.

Amaze explains that in May 2013 the fifth edition of the DSM replaced these older diagnoses with a single term, autism spectrum disorder (Amaze).

Autism types by support level

Support levels describe the help a person needs. Each guide below goes into more detail.

Level 1 autism

People with Level 1 autism need support. Read more in level 1 autism and symptoms of mild autism.

Level 2 autism

People with Level 2 autism need substantial support. See level 2 autism for daily-life examples.

Level 3 autism

People with Level 3 autism need very substantial support. Our overview of different levels of autism explains all three levels.

Asperger’s and PDA

Asperger’s is an older diagnosis now included in autism spectrum disorder, as explained in Asperger’s vs autism. PDA is covered in PDA autism symptoms.

Looking for NDIS support at home?

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Make a referral →

Key differences between types of autism

Support level. Levels describe how much support a person needs, and a person can have the same or a different level in each of the two areas.
Levels can change. Raising Children Network says support levels can change over time.
Older diagnoses are no longer given. People assessed before 2013 may still hold paperwork with those labels.
PDA is a profile. Aspect states it is not a formally recognised standalone diagnosis in the international diagnostic manuals, and in Australia it is usually treated as a profile of autism (Aspect).

Atypical autism, broader autism phenotype and the female phenotype

These terms come up often in searches. They are not extra types on the diagnostic list.

Atypical autism: an informal or older term, not a separate current diagnosis.
Broader autism phenotype: a research term; a clinician can explain what it means for you.
Female phenotype of autism: a term used for how autism may look in some girls and women.
Autism subtypes and forms: informal groupings used by communities, not formal categories.

Autism stereotypes to leave behind

Autistic people are individuals; no single description fits everyone.
A support level describes the help someone needs, not their worth or ability.
“Mild” is an everyday word, not a diagnosis; the DSM-5-TR uses Level 1.

Where to start

Your situation	Next step
You think you or your child might be autistic	Talk to your GP about assessment
You hold an older diagnosis such as Asperger’s	Keep the report; ask your GP whether an updated one is useful for the NDIS or work
You want to know about funding	Read autism funding through the NDIS and the NDIA’s Applying to the NDIS guide
You are comparing conditions	See types of ADHD and types of disability

For free advice, Autism Connect (1300 308 699) is a national autism helpline delivered by Amaze, open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday.

Your next step with support at home

If you or someone you care for is autistic, practical support can be shaped around daily life as well as a diagnosis. TQN Care’s NDIS services include support workers who help with routines, community access and respite across Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle, Wollongong and Geelong. Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Sarah M., Support CoordinatorTQN Care is a registered NDIS provider supporting people across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC).