Autism Symptoms Checklist

The Autism symptoms checklist is used to diagnose Autistic disorder. Individuals who have 6 or more of the 12 symptoms amongst the areas of behavior, communication and social interaction as defined by DSM-IV published by the American Psychiatric Association can be identified with Autism Spectrum disorder.



Here is the Autism symptoms checklist from the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders).

A) A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2) and (3), with at least two from (1) and one from (2) and (3).

(1) Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

a) Marked impairments in the use of multiple non-verbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture and gestures to regulate social interaction.

b) Failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level.

c) 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).

d) Lack of social or emotional reciprocity (note: in the description, it gives the following as examples: not actively participating in simple social play or games, preferring solitary activities or involving others in activities only as tools or "mechanical" aids).

(2) Qualitative impairments in communication as manifested by at least one of the following:

a) Delay in, or total lack of, the development of spoken language (not accompanied by an attempt to compensate through alternative modes of communication such as gesture or mime).

b) In individuals with adequate speech, marked impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others.

c) Stereotyped and repetitive use of language or idiosyncratic language.

d) Lack of varied, spontaneous make- believe play or social initiative play appropriate to developmental level.

(3) Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities, as manifested by at least two of the following:

a) Encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus.

b) Apparently inflexible adherence to specific, non-functional routines or rituals.

c) Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g. hand or finger flapping or twisting or complex whole body movements).

d) Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects.

B) Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age 3 years:

(1) Social interaction

(2) Language as used in social communication

(3) Symbolic or imaginative play

C) The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett’s disorder or Childhood Disintegrative disorder.

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