Autism Spectrum Disorders are primarily characterised by specific behaviours described in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.
To meet diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders according to DSM-5, a child must have:
- Persistent deficits in each of three areas of social communication and interaction across multiple contexts
- At least two of four types of restricted, repetitive behaviours
Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction
- Deficits in social emotional reciprocity
- Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships
- Deficits in non-verbal communicative behaviours used for social interaction
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities
- Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech
- Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behaviour
- Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus
- Hyper or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment
Other criteria
- Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period
- Symptoms must cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
For families
The categories mentioned on this page may appear clinical or impersonal. They are intended as tools to help you take a step back and gain perspective in assessing the situation you are facing.
Halo effect
A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorders, and Asperger syndrome. These conditions are now all called Autism Spectrum Disorders (source Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
It is now widely accepted that Autism Spectrum Disorders are the centre of a halo encompassing milder neurodevelopmental conditions that often remain undetected.
