A 5-year-old boy has impaired social interaction, poor peer relationships, and an absorbing interest in train timetables. Unlike his autistic cousin diagnosed at age 2 years, this child spoke in full sentences before age 3 years and shows no cognitive delay. Which historical subtype did this presentation correspond to before DSM-5?

• A Childhood disintegrative disorder
• B Asperger syndrome ✓
• C Rett syndrome
• D Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified

Explanation

Asperger syndrome was defined by autistic-type social deficits and restricted interests WITHOUT clinically significant language delay and without intellectual disability, which distinguishes it from classic autistic disorder where language and cognitive delays are usual. Childhood disintegrative disorder requires loss of previously acquired skills after at least two years of normal development, and Rett syndrome is a MECP2-related disorder seen almost exclusively in girls.

Reference: Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.