Autistic Disorders

Autistic disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders are characterized by qualitative deficits in the development of reciprocal social interaction, in the development of verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and in imaginative activity. Often, there is a marked restriction of activities and interests, often stereotyped and repetitive. Diagnosis requires medically documented findings of the following:

For autistic disorder, all of the following must be found in the diagnosis:

• Qualitative deficits in reciprocal social interaction.
• Qualitative deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication and in imaginative activity.
• Marked restriction of activities and interests;

For other pervasive developmental disorders, both of the following must be found in diagnosis:

• Qualitative deficits in reciprocal social interaction.
• Qualitative deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication and in imaginative activity.