Diagnosis of an ASD can only be completed by a licensed Psychologist or Psychiatrist. Your doctor will refer to the DSM-IV manual which includes the following information.
Criteria used to diagnose ASD include:
· Impaired social interaction
o impaired eye contact, facial expression, body posture and gestures related to social interaction
o lack of appropriate peer relationships
o doesn’t seek out social interaction with others
o doesn’t show equivalent social interaction or emotional response as the person they are interacting with.
· Impairment in communication
o delay in speaking without attempting alternative communication such as gestures.
o if the individual can speak, lack of ability to begin and continue and conversation
o repetitive use of language (repeating phrases from TV, movies or other sources)
o lack of pretend play and/or imitative play that is developmentally appropriate
· Repetitive behavior and activities, limited interests
o preoccupation with a single interest that is unusual in intensity and or focus
o inflexibility in non-functional routines or rituals
o repetitive motor actions (hand flapping, spinning, rocking, etc.)
o preoccupation with parts of objects
§ DSM-IV TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2000)
Not all of these characteristics need to be present for a diagnosis of ASD, but instead a combination of six or more items (at least two from the first list and one each from the next two lists.)