Definitions

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER COMMUNICATION DISORDER

Autism spectrum
Diagnostic disorder (ASD) is a developmental
Criteria/Features A communication disorder is an impairment in the ability
disabilitySPECTRUM
AUTISM caused by DISORDER
differences in the brain. People with to receive, send, process,
COMMUNICATION and comprehend concepts or
DISORDERS
ASD oftenimpairment
Persistent have problems with social
in reciprocal communication
social and
communication verbal, nonverbal
Persistent difficulty and
withgraphic
speech symbol systems. A that
sound production
interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or communication
interferes disorder
with speech may be evident
intelligibility in theverbal
or prevents processes
and social interaction.
interests. of hearing, language,
communication and/or speech.
of messages.
Deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication. Disturbance in the normal fluency and time patterning of
speech that is inappropriate for the individual’s age.

Effectsinofsocial-emotional
Deficits Deficits reciprocity. Dysfluency is often absent during oral reading, singing, or
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER COMMUNICATION
talking DISORDERS
to inanimate objects or to pets.
Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in The disturbance causes limitations in effective
Deficits
social, in nonverbal communicative
occupational, behaviors.
or other important areas of current Deficits in comprehension
communication and production.
that interfere with social participation,
functioning. academic achievement, or occupational performance,
Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding Deficits resultorininfunctional
individually limitations in effective
any combination.
relationships. communication, social participation, social relationships,
academic achievement,
The disturbance causesoranxiety
occupational performance,
about speaking or
individually or in combination.
limitations in effective communication, social
participation, or academic or occupational performance,
individually or in any combination.
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or Language learning and use is dependent on both
activities. receptive and expressive skills.
Onset symptoms must be present in the early The onset of the symptoms is in the early developmental
developmental period. period (but deficits may not become fully manifest until
social communication demands exceed limited
capacities).

Individual shows impairment in social communication Impairments in social relationships and behavior and also
and social interactions but does not show restricted and low performance of other related skills, such as written
repetitive behavior or interests. expression, reading comprehension, and oral reading.