Which developmental disorder is characterized by impaired social development and diminished communication skills?

• A. Autism
• B. Asperger's Syndrome
• C. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
• D. Cerebral Palsy

Answer: (A)

Autism is defined by deficits in social communication and interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. The social-communication challenges show up as difficulty engaging in back-and-forth conversations, trouble interpreting nonverbal cues, and difficulties forming and maintaining relationships. Diminished communication skills can include delays or abnormalities in language development and problems with pragmatic use of language, such as taking turns in conversation or using gestures appropriately. While Asperger’s syndrome also involves social challenges, modern classifications group these under the autism spectrum, with the emphasis still on social-communication impairment. ADHD centers on problems with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity rather than core social-communication deficits, and cerebral palsy is primarily a motor disorder, though communication can be affected, the defining features are not social-communication impairments.