Understanding Autism: DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria

Autism is a developmental disorder that is generally diagnosed in childhood. The diagnostic criteria are outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR).

Social Interaction

• Autism is marked by impairment of nonverbal behaviors (e.g., eye contact, facial expressions and body postures) and a failure to develop friendships appropriate to age. People with autism may also display a lack of emotional reciprocity as well as a lack of seeking to share enjoyment with others.

Communication

• Speech is impaired or absent. In autistic individuals who do speak, there is impairment in the ability to hold a conversation, usually with stereotyped language usage. Spontaneous make-believe and social imitative play is lacking.

Stereotyped Behavior

• The individual may have an abnormally intense preoccupation with a specific pattern or parts of objects. Repetitive mannerisms may be present (e.g., hand clapping or twisting movements), and autistic people may appear to be inflexible regarding routines.

Abnormal Functioning

• Prior to age 3 years, children with autism may have abnormal or delayed functioning in social interaction, social communication or symbolic or imaginative play.

Other Disorders

• The symptoms must not be better accounted for by the diagnosis of either Rett's disorder or childhood disintegrative disorder. In both of these disorders, development appears normal for a period and then appears to deteriorate over time.