Diagnosis information

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Core diagnostic criteria, specifiers, differential considerations, and documentation support in one open, scan-friendly view.

F84.0NeurodevelopmentalLocal clinical reference

Criteria: 5 criteria, A–E
Specifiers: 8 specifiers
Differentials: 8 considerations
Severity specifier: Supported

Core diagnostic criteria

All criteria are shown. No expand controls or hidden sections.

A
Core criterion A
Persistent deficits in social communication/interaction across multiple contexts (≥3 components: social-emotional reciprocity; nonverbal communicative behaviours; developing/maintaining relationships)
B
Core criterion B
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour/interests/activities (≥2 of: stereotyped/repetitive motor movements; insistence on sameness/inflexible routines; highly restricted interests; hyper/hyporeactivity to sensory input)
C
Core criterion C
Symptoms present in early developmental period (may not fully manifest until social demands exceed capacity)
D
Core criterion D
Cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
E
Core criterion E
Not better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental delay

Specifiers

With/without accompanying intellectual impairment: Specify and document intellectual level based on formal cognitive assessment.
With/without accompanying language impairment: Specify functional language level (non-verbal, phrase speech, fluent).
Associated with a known medical or genetic condition: List the specific condition (e.g. Fragile X, tuberous sclerosis, Rett syndrome).
Associated with another neurodevelopmental, mental, or behavioural disorder: ADHD, anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD - each coded separately.
With catatonia: Catatonic features present - use additional code F06.1.
Support level 1: Requiring support - noticeable deficits without support; functional in some contexts.
Support level 2: Requiring substantial support - marked deficits; limited initiation of social interaction.
Support level 3: Requiring very substantial support - severe deficits; very limited initiation; minimal response.

Documentation support

Consistent with [Autism Spectrum Disorder] [specifier(s)]. Since early childhood, there have been deficits in social-emotional reciprocity; deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviours; deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships, accompanied by restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests, or activities, including stereotyped or repetitive movements; stereotyped or repetitive speech; insistence on sameness; inflexible adherence to routines; ritualised behavioural patterns; highly restricted, fixated interests of abnormal intensity or focus; hyperreactivity to sensory input; hyporeactivity to sensory input; unusual sensory interests, present across multiple settings and forming a stable, pervasive developmental pattern. The presentation is further characterised by difficulties in social communication and behavioural flexibility exceeding expected developmental variation. These symptoms have resulted in clinically significant impairment in social, academic, occupational, or adaptive functioning, and the picture is not better explained by intellectual disability, global developmental delay, or another medical, neurological, or psychiatric condition.

Adapt this supplied template to the assessment. It is not a substitute for diagnostic reasoning or local documentation requirements.

DSM-5 DiagnosisDSM-ndv-autism-spectrum-disorder-asdSupplied local catalogue