Meeting dx criteria. Was: Opinion

[Guest guest]

>

> Neither

> of my sons truly meet the DSM-IV criteria for Asperger's, but from

what

> I have read, only a small percent of the population actually do.

Had to comment on this. To be given the dx, a child is supposed to

meet the criteria. I think what you may be reading is how different

kids have different symptoms that AREN'T part of the criteria. For

example, some Asperger kids have executive dysfunction, some don't,

some have sensory issues, some don't, some have coordination

problems, some don't, some have a great imagination, some struggle in

this area--none of these things are actually part of the dx

criteria. Below are the actual criteria, so you can see for

yourself - do your kids fit the actual criteria?

Ruth

@ Diagnostic Criteria for 299.80 Asperger's Disorder

1. 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 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

2. 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 of 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

3. The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in

social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

4. 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).

5. 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), and

curiosity about the environment in childhood.

6. Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive

Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia.