For more information, click Asperger's Disorder . This label is used when severe impairments in reciprocal social interaction or communication skills are present or when stereotyped and restricted activities and interests are exhibited, but the criteria listed above for disorders in the spectrum are not met completely. The DSM IV diagnostic categories are reproduced in English and French in the Quebec Society for Autism page. Top of Page Diagnosis and Applied Behavior Analysis Behavioral investigations and therapeutic programs have developed independently of issues and disputes about diagnosis. This is so because behavior analysis starts with a detailed investigation of the individual.
ABA uses basic principles of learning and behavioral development that cut across diagnoses.
Prior to 1980, autism was classified as a childhood psychosis or a variant of childhood schizophrenia. Thus, early work about autism will be found under these labels. Readers will have to look at the descriptions of the participants in earlier work to determine if they would have been classed as autistic by current criteria . Because many persons diagnosed as autistic also meet the criteria for the diagnosis, mental retardation, the mental retardation literature is also a good source of information about programs for behavior management, education, community integration and so on. Although not required by behavior analysts for planning and implementing intervention programs, a diagnosis based on complete neurophysiological and psychological examinations is essential .