Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Definition, Diagnosis, and the Clinical Approach to Differentiating Between Them

Giles Tan

The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 49 No. 7 - Persons with Intellectual Disbilities 2

Intellectual Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Definition, Diagnosis, and the Clinical Approach to Differentiating Between Them

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Author(s):

Giles Tan

Published in:

The Singapore Family Physician Vol 49 No 7 - Persons with Intellectual Disbilities 2

Publication date:

8 July 2023

ISSN:

0377-5305

Abstract

Neurodevelopmental disorders are a diverse group of conditions that occur during the developmental period and result in functional impairments. Intellectual Disability (ID) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) belong in this group and the criteria for diagnosis is described in DSM-5. There is overlap in the clinical symptoms between the conditions and careful assessment is required to establish diagnosis and determine if there is comorbidity and to plan treatment.