Typically T1D comes on all at once; the autoantibodies destroy the insulin producing beta cells and the patient needs exogenous insulin starting immediately. A subset of adult onset T1D displays a much slower progression of the destruction of beta cells. This is called LADA (latent autoimmune diabetes of adults”) or slow-progressing T1D and more recently T1.5D.
Similarly, some T2D patients also show evidence of autoantibodies however their beta cells are still largely functioning.
So now we further split into groups; Type 1–LADA, Type 1.5 or “double” diabetes, and Type 2 diabetes with autoantibodies.
This is a good overview: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/diabetes-resources/de...