Diagnosis
DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA
FOR 299.00 AUTISTIC DISORDER*
*Source: The American Psychiatric Association:
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth
Edition, Washington D.C., American Psychiatric Association, 1994.
A. A total of at least six items from (1), (2), and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3):
1. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:
* marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviours such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression,
body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction.
* failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level
* a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest)
* lack of social or emotional reciprocity
2. Qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:
* delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not
accompanied by an attempt to compensate
through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime)
* in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability
to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
* stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language
* lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play
appropriate to developmental level
3. Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests, and activities,
as manifested by at least one of the following:
* encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted
patterns of interest that is abnormal
either in intensity or focus
* apparently inflexible adherence to specific, non-functional routines
or rituals
* stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger
flapping or twisting, or complex whole body
movements)
* persistent preoccupation with parts of objects
B. Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following
areas, with onset prior to age 3 years:
(1) social interaction,
(2) language as used in social communication,
or
(3) symbolic or imaginative play.
C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
