DEFINITION

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in two major areas:
  • Social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts and
  • Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities
• ASD is classified under the Neurodevelopmental Disorders section of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5)[1].
  • The DSM-5 has an extensive, but not exhaustive, list of criteria for ASD. For these detailed criteria, please see the DSM-5 itself.
  • The DSM-5 outlines detailed diagnostic criteria requiring that symptoms are present in early development, cause clinically significant impairment, and are not better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental delay.
  • The current classification of ASD consolidates previous DSM-IV diagnoses[2], including: Autistic disorder; Childhood disintegrative disorder; Pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified; Asperger’s disorder.