The International Classification of Diseases 10

The ICD-10 is the most commonly-used diagnostic manual in the UK. It presents a number of possible autism profiles, such as childhood autism, atypical autism and Asperger syndrome. These profiles are included under the Pervasive Developmental Disorders heading, defined as “A group of disorders characterized by qualitative abnormalities in reciprocal social interactions and in patterns of communication, and by a restricted, stereotyped, repetitive repertoire
of interests and activities. These qualitative abnormalities are a pervasive feature of the individual’s functioning in all situations”.