DSM-IV-TR Criteria for Autism

Six or more criteria from three lists

1) Qualitative impairment in social interaction, manifested by at least two

of the following:

• marked impairment in use of multiple nonverbal behaviors (eye-to-eye

gaze, facial expression, body postures, gestures)

gaze, facial expression, body postures, gestures)

• failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

• lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements

with others

with others

• lack of social or emotional reciprocity

2) Qualitative impairments in communication, manifested by at least one

2) Qualitative impairments in communication, manifested by at least one

of the following:

• delay in, or total lack of, development of spoken language, not accompanied

by attempts to compensate through alternative modes of communication

by attempts to compensate through alternative modes of communication

such as gesture or mime

• in individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in ability to initiate

or sustain conversation

or sustain conversation

• stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language

• lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate

to developmental level

to developmental level

3) Restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests,

and activities, manifested by at least one of the following:

• preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of

interest abnormal in either intensity or focus

interest abnormal in either intensity or focus

• apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or

rituals

rituals

• stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (hand or finger flapping,

complex whole-body movements)

complex whole-body movements)

• persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with

Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with

onset prior to age three:

• social interaction

• language as used in social communication

• symbolic or imaginative play

Symptoms not better explained by Rett’s Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative

Symptoms not better explained by Rett’s Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative

Disorder