In contrast, the original DSM-IV model did not meet statistical criteria for an acceptable fit. Mandy and colleagues ( 6) tested this model, including sensory behaviors as part of the restricted and repetitive behavior criterion, and found that this model has an excellent fit. One difference from the original model is that communication deficits are subsumed under social impairments. To date, various empirical studies have found support for a two-domain ASD symptom model ( 3– 5). This is of major significance to families concerned that their affected children might not meet the proposed criteria for ASD and might therefore lose necessary services. In particular, it is unclear whether the revised criteria will inadvertently narrow the definition of PDDs.

Although these changes are based on empirical data (e.g., 1, 2), little is known about the sensitivity and specificity of the new criteria. The proposed changes to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs) include shifting from a multicategorical model to a single diagnostic category of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), replacing the three-domain model with a two-domain model, relaxing the criteria for age at onset, and adding symptoms not previously included in DSM-IV, such as sensory interests and aversions.

Diagnostic criteria for asd dsm 5