Asperger Syndrome: Classification

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.
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
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
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
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.