What is Autism According to Diagnostic Criteria?

The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, APA, 2013) provides the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder that are used in the United States. The diagnostic criteria are listed here and more information about each criterion is below and must be present currently and/or in the past.

Persistent differences (the DSM says deficits) in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts

To meet this criteria, all of the following must be present either currently, or in the past:

  • This criterion has to do with whether and how a person approaches other people, for example to get information or share interests, emotions, etc.

    It also has to do with if and how back-and-forth conversation happens and the roles each person takes in conversations.

    In addition, this criterion has to do with whether and how a person responds to other people when they initiate an interaction or conversation.

  • This criterion has to do with all the ways that people communicate with one another using their bodies instead of words.

    This includes things like eye contact, gestures, personal space, body language, facial expressions, and the way that words are used (e.g., tone of speech).

    Of interest is both if and how a person uses nonverbal communication themselves and if and how they recognize and understand its use by other people,

  • This criterion has to do with how a person forms relationships with other people and the ways in which they view/think about different types of relationships.

Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities

To meet this criterion, at least two of the following must be present, either currently or in the past.

  • Examples can include repeatedly lining things up, repeating words, flipping a coin over and over, doing things in the same way over and over, and also have the urge to do something like this (but not doing it). Some people, especially as they get older, may repeat things in their heads, such as saying a certain phrase over and over again.

  • Examples include preferring that activities happen in the same order every day, struggling when something unplanned occurs, thinking about events in a rigid (e.g., black and white) way, etc.

  • This criterion has to do with interests that are more intense or focused than what might be expected.

  • This criterion has to do with how a person experiences sensory input and relates to all senses; smell, sight, taste, touch, hearing, balance/spatial sensations, and awareness of the body in space, and internal sensations.