What is the DSM IV, To Determine the Diagnosis?
This description of PDD and autism is from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). It may seem somewhat pessimistic, but we need to remember that in order to diagnose the disorder, the psychiatrist must focus on the “problem behaviors”. Remember that children are not defined only by their “label”; children will have strengths that will help them cope with the problems that their disorder gives them. We must be aware of, but never governed by the described limitations of this disorder. DSM IV Descriptions: Autistic Disorder (299.00) and Asperser’s Disorder (299.80): Diagnostic criteria for 299.00 Autistic Disorder A. A total of six (or more) items from (1), (2), and (3), with at lest 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 re
