From the Guidelines
The DSM-5 criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) require persistent deficits in two core domains: social communication and interaction, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as outlined in the most recent study 1. The diagnosis of ASD is based on the presence of symptoms in early development, which can be detected as early as 9 months 1. The symptoms must cause clinically significant impairment in functioning and cannot be better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental delay.
- The social communication and interaction domain includes problems with social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communication, and developing/maintaining relationships.
- The restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities domain includes at least two of the following: stereotyped movements or speech, insistence on sameness, highly restricted interests with abnormal intensity, and hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input. The DSM-5 also requires specifying the severity level (1,2, or 3) for each domain, indicating the level of support needed, and noting any accompanying intellectual or language impairment, association with known medical/genetic conditions, or catatonia, as supported by the study 1. This unified diagnosis replaced the previously separate categories of autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified from earlier editions, and is in line with the most recent recommendations 1.
From the Research
DSM 5 Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder
The DSM 5 criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are not explicitly stated in the provided studies. However, the studies mention the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and its changes in diagnostic criteria for ASD 2.
Key Changes in DSM 5
- The DSM-5 combines the previous diagnoses of autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) into a single diagnosis of ASD 2.
- The DSM-5 also introduces a new framework for diagnosing ASD, which includes persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities 2.
Diagnosis and Treatment
- The diagnosis of ASD is typically made based on a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's behavior, development, and medical history 2.
- Treatment for ASD often involves a combination of behavioral therapies, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA), and medication to manage symptoms such as irritability, aggression, and hyperactivity 3, 4, 5.
- Medications such as risperidone and aripiprazole have been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of ASD, including irritability and hyperactivity, in some individuals 6, 2, 5.