Screening and diagnosis

Classification and risk stratification

Perioperative care

Quality improvement

Patient education

Nonpharmacologic interventions

Therapeutic procedures

Respiratory support

Follow-up and surveillance

Specific circumstances

Preventative measures

Medical management

Surgical interventions

Inpatient care

Diagnostic procedures

Diagnostic investigations

Insufficient evidence to make a recommendation.

Strongly favor this test or intervention.

This tool evaluates whether the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are met. It guides users through selecting statements that correspond to five specific criteria essential for an ASD diagnosis per DSM-5 guidelines. Based on these selections, it provides a determination of whether the criteria are truly met.

The criteria for assessing ASD are:

- Persistent deficits in social communication and interaction across various contexts. These deficits may involve challenges with social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communication, and developing personal relationships.
- Presence of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. This requires at least two manifestations, such as repetitive behaviors, strict adherence to routines, intense fixated interests, or unusual sensory responses.
- Symptoms must begin in the early developmental period, even if they do not become obvious until social expectations surpass capabilities.
- Symptoms lead to clinically significant impairment in critical areas of functioning, like social and occupational areas.
- Exclusion of other diagnoses that might better account for the symptoms, including intellectual disabilities or developmental delays.

The tool methodically checks each of these criteria:

- Criterion A is about verifying social-communication deficits.
- Criterion B examines the presence of repetitive behaviors or focused interests.
- Criterion C ensures the early onset of symptoms.
- Criterion D checks that the symptoms cause important functional impairments.
- Criterion E confirms that the symptoms are not more aptly explained by other conditions.

All criteria (A, B, C, D, and E) must be true for an individual to meet the ASD diagnostic standards. If all these criteria are satisfied, the outcome will state that the individual "Meets diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder." If any of these criteria are not met, it will indicate that the "Diagnostic criteria are not met." This structured approach ensures thorough assessment aligned with DSM-5 guidelines for diagnosing ASD.

The calculator in question is the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This diagnostic tool is used by mental health professionals to diagnose individuals suspected of having ASD, a neurodevelopmental disorder. 

The DSM-5 criteria for ASD apply to individuals across all age groups, from early childhood to adulthood, who present with difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive or restrictive behaviors. 

The clinical utility of this calculator is to provide a standardized, evidence-based diagnostic framework for ASD. It helps clinicians to accurately diagnose ASD, differentiate it from other developmental disorders, and guide appropriate treatment and management strategies. 

There are no specific exclusion criteria for the use of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ASD. However, it should be noted that the diagnosis should be made by a trained healthcare professional, and it is not intended for self-diagnosis by individuals or families. Additionally, the presence of better-explained symptoms by intellectual disability or global developmental delay should not be solely diagnosed as ASD.

Autism spectrum disorder

Background

Overview

Guidelines

Key sources