DSM-III Autism vs. ICD-10 Autism

Attribute	DSM-III Autism	ICD-10 Autism
Definition	Developmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior	Developmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior
Diagnostic Criteria	Presence of symptoms before age 3, with specific criteria for social interaction, communication, and behavior	Presence of symptoms before age 3, with specific criteria for social interaction, communication, and behavior
Subtypes	Not specified	Subtypes include Childhood Autism, Atypical Autism, and Asperger Syndrome
Severity Levels	Not specified	Levels 1, 2, and 3 based on level of support needed
Associated Features	May include intellectual disability, language delay, and motor coordination difficulties	May include intellectual disability, language delay, and motor coordination difficulties

Definition and Diagnosis Criteria

DSM-III Autism, published in 1980, was the first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to include a specific diagnostic category for autism. The criteria for diagnosis included impairments in social interaction, communication, and restricted, repetitive behaviors. In contrast, ICD-10 Autism, published in 1992, included similar criteria but also emphasized the presence of abnormal or impaired development that is evident before the age of three years.

Age of Onset

One key difference between DSM-III Autism and ICD-10 Autism is the age of onset specified in the diagnostic criteria. DSM-III did not include a specific age requirement for the onset of symptoms, while ICD-10 specified that symptoms must be present before the age of three years. This difference in age of onset criteria can impact the diagnosis and identification of autism in individuals, particularly those who may not exhibit symptoms until later in childhood.

Diagnostic Categories

DSM-III Autism included a single diagnostic category for autism, which encompassed a range of symptoms and severity levels. In contrast, ICD-10 Autism included multiple subcategories, such as childhood autism, atypical autism, and Asperger syndrome. These subcategories allowed for a more nuanced understanding of the different presentations of autism spectrum disorders and provided clinicians with more specific diagnostic criteria.

Language and Communication Impairments

Both DSM-III Autism and ICD-10 Autism included language and communication impairments as key diagnostic criteria. However, ICD-10 placed greater emphasis on the specific nature of these impairments, such as delayed or absent language development, echolalia, and stereotyped use of words or phrases. This specificity in the diagnostic criteria for communication impairments in ICD-10 Autism may have helped clinicians differentiate between different types of language difficulties in individuals with autism.

Social Interaction Deficits

Another key aspect of both DSM-III Autism and ICD-10 Autism was the presence of social interaction deficits as a diagnostic criterion. Both diagnostic systems highlighted impairments in social skills, such as lack of social or emotional reciprocity, failure to develop peer relationships, and lack of spontaneous sharing of enjoyment or interests with others. These social interaction deficits were considered core features of autism spectrum disorders in both DSM-III and ICD-10.

Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests

Both DSM-III Autism and ICD-10 Autism included repetitive behaviors and restricted interests as diagnostic criteria. These behaviors could manifest as stereotyped movements, insistence on sameness, or preoccupation with specific topics or objects. The inclusion of these symptoms in the diagnostic criteria for autism highlighted the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique behavioral patterns and interests of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Overall Impact on Diagnosis and Treatment

The differences between DSM-III Autism and ICD-10 Autism in terms of age of onset criteria, diagnostic categories, and specificity of symptoms have had implications for the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. The inclusion of subcategories in ICD-10 allowed for a more nuanced understanding of the different presentations of autism, while the emphasis on early onset in ICD-10 highlighted the importance of early identification and intervention. These differences have shaped the way clinicians approach the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, ultimately leading to more tailored and effective interventions for individuals with autism.