Diagnosis of autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is diagnosed through observed and reported behavior; no biological or genetic markers currently allow for a definitive diagnosis. Clinicians base assessments on standardized behavioral criteria defined in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) of the World Health Organization and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association.

The DSM-5 (2013) unified earlier subtypes such as Asperger syndrome under a single autism spectrum diagnosis, while the DSM-5-TR (2022) maintained this framework with clarifying revisions. The ICD-10 (1994) has been superseded by the ICD-11 (2022), which aligns closely with DSM-5 definitions and is now being adopted internationally.

According to the DSM-5-TR, ASD is characterized by:

  1. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, and
  2. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.

Symptoms must appear in early development, cause significant functional impairment, and not be better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental delay.

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