A4Autism.info

GILLBERG'S CRITERIA FOR ASPERGER'S DISORDER

1.Severe impairment in reciprocal social interaction (at least two of the following) (a) inability to interact with peers (b) lack of desire to interact with peers (c) lack of appreciation of social cues (d) socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior 2.All-absorbing narrow interest (at least one of the following) (a) exclusion of other activities (b) repetitive adherence (c) more rote than meaning 3.Imposition of routines and interests (at least one of the following) (a) on self, in aspects of life (b) on others 4.Speech and language problems (at least three of the following) (a) delayed development (b) superficially perfect expressive language (c) formal, pedantic language (d) odd prosody, peculiar voice characteristics (e) impairment of comprehension including misinterpretations of literal/implied meanings 5.Non-verbal communication problems (at least one of the following) (a) limited use of gestures (b) clumsy body language (c) limited facial expression (d) inappropriate expression (e) peculiar, stiff gaze 6.Motor clumsiness: poor performance on neurodevelopmental examination (All six criteria must be met for confirmation of diagnosis.) It is important to remember, as with autism, that not every child will be affected to the same degree, and that these diagnostic tools are just that, tools to aide in the diagnosis of a child. A good doctor will also rely on parental description of behavior at home and school and on observing the child.