Final answer:
A boy with difficulties in social interaction but normal speech and cognitive abilities might be diagnosed with Asperger's Disorder, a category within Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD includes a range of symptoms but is characterized by impaired social skills and repetitive behaviors. Diagnosis and treatment should be managed by healthcare professionals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis
A young boy exhibiting challenges with social interaction, such as difficulties forming friendships, problems in social engagement, but with intact speech and cognitive abilities, can potentially be diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), specifically Asperger's Disorder. While autistic disorder involves difficulties in communication and often includes cognitive deficits, and conditions such as Tourette's disorder involve motor tics, and oppositional defiant disorder is characterized by defiant behavior, Asperger's Disorder is differentiated by significant difficulties in social interaction alongside typical to strong verbal and cognitive abilities. It is important to note that any diagnosis must be made by a professional following thorough assessment.
ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder where symptoms vary widely in severity, creating a spectrum on which individuals with the condition may fall. Common symptoms of ASD include impaired social skills, difficulty making eye contact, reading social cues, feeling empathy, and engaging in repetitive behaviors. Treatments for ASD generally involve behavioral therapies, as well as medications to manage co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety, although no cure currently exists.