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Diagnosis of autism

Autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed according to a checklist in the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, the DSM.

In the past, the DSM categorised children with autism as having Asperger’s disorder, autistic disorder or pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

The most recent edition of the Manual, DSM-5, was published in 2013. It changed the criteria used to diagnose autistic children. DSM-5 combines the three categories into one, which is just called autism spectrum disorder.

If your child already has a diagnosis of autistic disorder, Asperger’s syndrome or PDD-NOS, you can keep using these terms if you want to.

The information in this article applies only to people who have been diagnosed using criteria in the fourth edition of the DSM, DSM-IV. If you think your child might have autism, talk to your child and family health nurse or GP.

Asperger’s disorder: common characteristics

Children diagnosed with Asperger’s disorder have intellectual abilities in the average to high range, but they might have mixed abilities. For example, they might have strong verbal skills but weaker non-verbal skills. They might also be very clumsy.

These children are often extremely knowledgeable about their favourite topics. They might have advanced language skills for their age and often start discussions.

But they often miss social cues and misinterpret language. For example, they might have difficulty understanding jokes, or they might take things too literally.

And they usually don’t like change, preferring routines and rituals.

Signs of Asperger’s disorder: checklist

Social interaction
Children with Asperger’s disorder might:

  • start interactions with others but have difficulty keeping a conversation going
  • interact with people if they need something or want to talk about something that interests them, but not because they’re genuinely interested in other people
  • interact in an awkward and stilted way – for example, they might avoid eye contact while speaking or interpret things literally
  • interact more easily with adults than with children.

Communication and language
Children with Asperger’s disorder might:

  • be very verbal – for example, they might be able to label everything in a room
  • join words together at the usual developmental stage (around 2 years)
  • communicate with others about their own interests
  • use a flat or monotone voice
  • answer questions, but not ask questions if the topic doesn’t interest them.

Repetitive or persistent behaviours
Children with Asperger’s disorder might:

  • have strong interests in particular topics and be very knowledgeable about their special interest areas
  • prefer routines and rules
  • prefer things to stay the same, and dislike change.

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  • Department of Social Services

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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