Question

Hannah was diagnosed with DSM-5's autism spectrum disorder. Because her intellectual and social functioning is relatively high, Hannah would MOST likely have been diagnosed with ______ using the DSM-IV.

a. autistic disorder
b. Asperger's disorder
c. pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
d. Rett's disorder

Answer 1

The diagnosis most fitting for Hannah under the DSM-IV, based on the description of her having relatively high intellectual and social functioning, would have been Asperger's disorder.

Step-by-step explanation:

Asperger's disorder.

Under the DSM-IV criteria, Asperger's disorder was diagnosed in individuals with relatively high intellectual and social functioning who also exhibited challenges in social interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. With the advent of DSM-5, Asperger's disorder, along with other autism-related disorders, was merged into the single diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, or ASD.

However, individuals such as Hannah, who exhibit higher levels of functioning and would previously fit the Asperger's disorder diagnosis now receive a diagnosis of ASD but may be informally referred to as having 'high-functioning autism.'