How is social (pragmatic) communication disorder different from ASD in terms of diagnosis?

• A. SCD involves persistent pragmatic language deficits without restricted/repetitive behaviors; ASD requires social communication deficits plus restricted interests/repetitive behaviors and early onset.
• B. SCD includes restricted interests.
• C. ASD has no social communication deficits.
• D. They are the same diagnosis.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that the diagnostic split between these two conditions hinges on restricted, repetitive behaviors. Social (pragmatic) communication disorder centers on difficulties using language for social purposes, but there are no restricted interests or repetitive behaviors. Autism spectrum disorder, on the other hand, requires social communication deficits plus restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities that typically emerge in early development. So the presence of restricted/repetitive behaviors is what differentiates ASD from SCD. The statement that SCD includes restricted interests is not accurate because those features belong to ASD, not to SCD.