[Diagnostic criteria for Asperger syndrome].

The diagnostic criteria for Asperger syndrome (AS) are still controversial. ICD-10 and DSM-IV are usually used as a formal diagnostic criteria for AS. However, many papers point out there are many problems in ICD-10/DSM-IV. It is indicated that the diagnosis of AS using ICD-10/DSM-IV criteria is virtually impossible due to the rule of onset and precedence. ICD-10/DSM-IV criteria don't include core symptoms of AS, such as odd speech and limited intelligent interests reported by Hans Asperger. Most of the cases which are diagnosed as AS clinically meet the diagnostic criteria for autism or atypical autism(PDD-NOS) in ICD-10/DSM-IV. ICD-10/DSM-IV criteria is too narrow to diagnose AS. This causes much confusion and disadvantage for families, clinicians and researchers. We need to establish the clinically useful and reliable diagnostic criteria for AS.