Which diagnosis best fits duration, episodicity, and exclusions?
A
Social (pragmatic) communication disorder
Persistent difficulties in social use of verbal/nonverbal communication; ≥1 of: deficits in using communication for social purposes; inability to change communication to match context; difficulty following rules for conversations and storytelling; difficulty understanding what is not explicitly stated
AA. Persistent difficulties in social use of verbal/nonverbal communication; ≥1 of: deficits in using communication for social purposes; inability to change communication to match context; difficulty following rules for conversations and storytelling; difficulty understanding what is not explicitly stated B. Deficits result in functional limitations in effective communication, social participation, social relationships, academic achievement, or occupational performance C. Onset in the early developmental period
BA. Deficits in intellectual functions (reasoning, problem-solving, planning, abstract thinking, judgement, academic learning, experiential learning) confirmed by clinical assessment and standardised testing B. Deficits in adaptive functioning in ≥1 of: conceptual, social, or practical domains — resulting in failure to meet developmental/sociocultural standards for personal independence/social responsibility C. Onset of intellectual and adaptive deficits during the developmental period
Common specifiers
ASeverity: Mild; Severity: Moderate; Severity: Severe
BMild; Moderate; Severe; Profound
Differential flags
AASD (social communication deficits + RRBs - mutually exclusive; if RRBs present, diagnose ASD); Language disorder (structure and vocabulary impaired, not just pragmatic use); Intellectual disability (social communication deficits proportional to global impairment)
BASD (social deficits; RRBs; may coexist - code both when criteria independently met); Specific learning disorder (domain-specific; overall intellectual function preserved); Communication disorder (language-specific; not global intellectual impairment)