Diagnostic criteria of Asperger syndrome in adults (according to the ADULT Asperger Assessment (AAA)).
Areas |
Subtopics |
A: Qualitative impairment of social interaction (≥ 3 of 5 domains). |
- Significant impairments in the area of nonverbal behavior.
- Does not want to please others or share his/her experiences
- Unsuccessful in building relationships with peers
- Lack of social or emotional reciprocity
- Problems interpreting social situations or other people’s feelings or thoughts.
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B: Restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior and interests (≥ 3 of 5 domains). |
- Extensive engagement with stereotyped and restricted patterns of behavior.
- Apparently inflexible pursuit of specific non-functional activities or rituals
- Stereotypical and repetitive mannerisms.
- Persistent preoccupation with certain parts of objects/systems.
- Tendency to “think in black and white” without being able to flexibly consider various other possibilities
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C: Qualitative impairment in verbal and nonverbal communication (≥ 3 of 5 areas. |
- Tendency to talk about oneself or content of interest in every conversation
- Significant impairment in initiating and maintaining a conversation.
- Pedantic narrative style or get lost in details
- Inability to detect interest or boredom in the listener
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D: Impairment of imagination (≥ 1 of 3 domains). |
- Lack of spontaneous, varied role-playing (e.g., playing “so-so” games with children)
- Inability to tell, write or invent stories.
- Lack of interest in novels or dramas or limited to, for example, science, technology, history
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E: Necessary conditions (all ranges): |
- During childhood, there are already abnormalities in each of the areas A to D.
- Resulting impairments in social, occupational or other important areas of life.
- In the field of language development, there are no significant delays.
- Another profound developmental disorder or schizophrenia must be excluded.
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