A. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at least two from (1), and one each from (2) and (3):
1. Qualitative impairment in social interaction,
as manifested by at least two of the following:
a. Marked impairment in the use of multiple
nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body postures,
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).
d. Lack of social or emotional reciprocity.
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 gestures or mime).
b. In individuals with adequate speech,
marked impairments 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 imitative play appropriate to developmental level.
3. Restricted repetitive
and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities, as manifested
by at least one of the following:
a. Encompassing preoccupation with one
or more stereotypic and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal
either in intensity or focus.
b. Apparently inflexible adherence to
specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals.
c. Stereotypic 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, or (3) symbolic or imaginative play.
C. The disturbance is not better accounted for by Rett's Disorder or Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.