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Criterion A

• Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction are present across multiple contexts.

Criterion A social-communication domains

• Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity are present, such as abnormal social approach, reduced back-and-forth conversation, reduced sharing of interests or emotions, or failure to initiate or respond socially in a typical way.
• Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction are present, such as problems with eye contact, body language, gestures, or integrating verbal and nonverbal communication.
• Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships are present, such as trouble adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts, difficulty sharing imaginative play, or difficulty making friends.

Criterion B

• Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities are present, with at least 2 manifestations required.

Criterion B restricted or repetitive domains

• Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech.
• Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior.
• Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus.
• Hyperreactivity or hyporeactivity to sensory input, or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment.

Criterion C

• Symptoms are present in the early developmental period.

Criterion D

• Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment.

Criterion E

• The disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability alone, although the two may co-occur.

Related Guides

• Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms and Signs
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Scales and Assessment Tools
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatments and Medications
• When to Seek Professional Help for Autism Spectrum Disorder