Final answer:
The diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder include impaired social skills, repetitive motor behaviors, restricted interests, and adherence to routines, but not persistent social anxiety. The correct option is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) includes all of the following EXCEPT persistent social anxiety. The characteristic symptoms of ASD usually comprise impaired social skills, such as difficulty in making and maintaining eye contact, and reading social cues.
Those with ASD may also demonstrate repetitive motor behaviors, show highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity of focus, and have an excessive adherence to routines or rituals. While social anxiety may occur in individuals with ASD, it is not a specific criterion for the diagnosis of the condition.