A 5-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder covers his ears and becomes distressed when exposed to vacuum cleaner noise, but does not react when his mother calls his name loudly. This feature is best classified under which DSM-5 ASD domain?
- A Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity
- B Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors
- C Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input ✓
- D Insistence on sameness and inflexible adherence to routines
Correct answer: C. Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input
Explanation
Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input is included within the restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities domain of DSM-5 ASD criteria. This was added as a new criterion in DSM-5 and was not part of DSM-IV autism criteria. It encompasses unusual responses to sensory stimuli such as apparent indifference to pain, adverse responses to specific sounds or textures, and excessive smelling or touching of objects.
Reference: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.