Brandon is an 8-year-old with normal intelligence.Although he can talk normally,he exhibits pronounced social deficits.He has few social relationships and has little interest in making friends.But he does love video games.He will play them for hours at a time and is quite good at them.When he does talk to others,often all he wants to talk about is video games;he tends to repeat what he has just said over and over again,even if it is clear that the other person no longer is paying attention.Brandon also follows an extremely rigid schedule.When his schedule is interrupted,he throws tantrums and has a difficult time transitioning to and from activities.By DSM-5 criteria,Brandon is exhibiting a mild form of:
A)Asperger's syndrome.
B)autism spectrum disorder.
C)pervasive developmental disorder.
D)childhood schizophrenia.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Brandon's symptoms fit the criteria for autism spectrum disorder, which includes deficits in social communication and interaction, restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, and difficulties with transitions or changes in routines. Asperger's syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder are no longer separate categories in DSM-5 and have been folded into autism spectrum disorder. Childhood schizophrenia is unlikely in this case as Brandon has normal intelligence and there is no evidence of hallucinations or delusions.

Brandon Is an 8-Year-Old with Normal Intelligence