Autism: DSM IV Criteria

A total of 6 (or more) from (1) , (2) , (3), with at least 2 from (1), and 1 from each (2) and (3).

1. Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least 2 of the following:

a. Marked impairment in use of multiple nonverbal behaviors, such as eye to eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction.
b. Marked failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level.
c. Lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (ie. lack or showing, bringing, pointing object of interest).
d. Lack of social or emotional reciprocity.

2. Qualitative impairments in communication, as manifested by at least 1 of the following:

a. Delay in or total lack of development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communications such as gesture or mimes).
b. In individual with adequate speech, marked impairment in ability to initiate or sustain conversation with others.
c. Stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language.
d. Lack of varied, spontaneous make-believe play or social imitative play appropriate to developmental level.

3. Restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interest and activities as manifested by at least 1 of the following:

a. Encompassing preoccupation with 1 or more stereotyped and restricted pattern of interest that is abnormal in either intensity or focus.
b. Apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals.
c. Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerism (ie. hand or finger flapping or twisting or complex body movements)
c. Persistent occupation with parts of objects.

B. Delay or abnormal functioning in at least 1 of the following areas with onset < 3 age year: (1) social interaction, (2) language as used in social communication, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play

C. The disturbance is not better accounted by Rett disorder or childhood degenerative disorder.

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This article may be a bit out-dates when DSM V comes out with new changes. Asperger's and Persistent Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) will be grouped together with Autism under Autistic Spectrum Disorders with various levels.

Asperger's differ only in terms of language skills which is mostly intact.

Autism has no association with MMR vaccination.

Reference:

1. Kliegman, Robert M., et al., Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 18th ed., Elsevier Saunders.

Future Topics:

- Management

- DSM V!