DSM-IV Criteria Meanings

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On my paper work from my psychologist who did my testing said I met the following DSM-IV criteria for Aspergers:

A1
A2
A4
B1
B2
B4
C
D
E
F

What does this all mean? I have no idea and its driving me crazy.

Understand your pain we go to the normal to find out whats up how the hell do they know?

It's from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition.

Thanks

I hope that I didn't miss the point of your thread. Was my answer what you were looking for?

Looks like it. If the report just listed the criteria numbers, and didn't actually list what they meant.

Odd--no stims. I've not yet met an Aspie who doesn't stim... Ah, well, oddity's normal around here!

Does anyone like to post their criteria numbers? I showed you mine, how about you guys show me yours.

I'm A1, A2, A4, B1, B3, B4, C, D, E, F


I lack A3 and B2

For some Aspies, we fall under the DSM criteria only under specific circumstances, or we eventually learn to overcome the criteria. Take me, for example.

* A1 - marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye-to-eye gaze, facial expression, body posture, and gestures to regulate social interaction *

This certainly fits me. I have learned to look someone in the eye when I speak to him or her, but it takes me a bit of effort to do so. I'm still learning to transfer my gaze from person to person when I am speaking to a group; this takes a lot of effort on my part, and I can tire myself out easily if I keep it up for an extended period of time. I have learned basic facial expressions and gestures, but I haven't learned all of the nuances NTs pick up automatically.

* A2 - failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level *

This is true except when I know my peer and I share a common major interest. If we don't, I consider it too much work to develop such a relationship.

* A3 - lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people (e.g., by a lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people) *

Again, it depends on whether we share common interests.

* A4 - lack of social or emotional reciprocity *

I have learned how to reciprocate, but it takes a great deal of effort, so I reciprocate only when necessary.

* B1 - encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity of focus *

I have had many of these over the years, and they change from time to time.

* B2 - apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals *

I have learned to be more flexible, but again, I flex only when necessary, and usually reluctantly.

* B3 - stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms (e.g., hand or finger flapping or twisting, or complex whole-body movements) *

The only regular instance I have ever had of this is when I used to rock myself to sleep as a child. But yes, I have had this symptom in the past.

* B4 - persistent preoccupation with parts of objects *

If we are dealing with parts of specific physical objects, this does not apply to me. I have been preoccupied with specific hobbies, however. For example, while I love to go to Broadway musicals, there is one in particular for which I have collected every possible bit of memorabilia, no matter what the cost; solicited autographs from those who are involved with the show; and other, sometimes illegal, actions.

* C - The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. *

The only important area of functioning in which I seem to be impaired is social.

* D - There is no clinically significant general delay in language e.g., single words used by age two years, communicative phrases used by age three years). *

I was using three-word sentences by the age of twenty months, and was fully verbal (well, more or less) before my second birthday.

* E - There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age-appropriate self-help skills, adaptive behavior (other than in social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood. *

Check.

* F - Criteria are not met for another specific pervasive developmental disorder or schizophrenia. *

As far as I know, this is the case.

By most tests I am borderline Aspie. I am much higher on the spectrum than most people, but not high enough to enter the AS range. As a child, however, I was well into the range. - LJS

At minimum:

A1a, A1b, A1d, A2a, A2b, A2c, A2d, A3a, A3c, A3d, B1, B2, B3, C

And probably A1c and A3b as well, at least by the standards of psychiatrists. I know those were used in my diagnostic papers even though I didn't see things that way. A3b I almost undoubtedly qualify for because they don't care if I happen to think they're "nonfunctional" or not (enough that the next edition is removing the word nonfunctional altogether). A1c is much more iffy from my perspective, but they thought it applied to me as well, probably because when they were observing me I wasn't really interacting much. A2a and A2b are possible together because even though I haven't always had "adequate speech", I have just as much trouble initiating while typing as with speech, and even when I had "adequate speech" it was true, and A2a was a delay for me, not a total absence later on.

Oh also this is the autism criteria not the AS criteria because that's what I'm diagnosed with.