Autism Disorder / Diagnostic Criteria For Asperger's Disorder

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    A)  qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following 

marked impairment in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye of gaze, facial
expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction

failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level

a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g.,by a lack of showing bringing or pointing out objects of interest to other people

lack of social or emotional reciprocity

B )  restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested by at least one of the following  

encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus

   apparently inflexible adherence to specific , nonfunctional routines or rituals

  stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting or complex whole-body movements

  persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

C)    the disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social ,occupational, or other important areas of functioning 

D) there is no clinically significant general delay in language (e.g., single words used by age 2 years, communicative phrases used by age 3 years 

E)    there is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction) , curiosity about the environment in childhood

     F)     Criteria are not met for another specific pervasive developmental disorder or schizophrenia