Asperger’s and Other Developmental Disorders
Asperger’s Disorder
Diagnostic code: 299.80
Adapted from DSM-PC and DSM-IV-TR. Refer to DSM-PC and DSM-IV/DSM-IV-TR for full psychiatric criteria and further description.
Description of Symptoms
Asperger’s disorder shares the same diagnostic code as pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD, NOS), but children and adolescents with Asperger’s disorder can be identified by the following symptoms:
- Impaired social interaction
- Restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities
- No significant delay in language or cognitive development (may be cognitively high functioning), adaptive skills (other than in social interactions), or curiosity about their environment
- Clumsiness (in many but not all cases) Long-term outcomes of Asperger’s disorder are not well defined, but impairment in social interaction is believed to be a lifelong problem for individuals with this disorder.
Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
Diagnostic code: 299.80
Adapted from DSM-PC and DSM-IV-TR. Refer to DSM-PC and DSM-IV/DSM-IV-TR for full psychiatric criteria and further description.
A wide range of developmental patterns are currently diagnosed as pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD, NOS), which is considered a residual diagnostic category.
Description of Symptoms
Compared with children and adolescents who have social withdrawal problem, children and adolescents with PDD, NOS exhibit more extensive impairment in reciprocal social interactions; such impairment is associated with impaired verbal or nonverbal communication skills and/or stereotyped interests or behaviors that can interfere with developmental activities
