A student exhibits social-communication impairments, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors; which disability is most consistent?

A student exhibits social-communication impairments, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors; which disability is most consistent?

• A. Autism spectrum disorder
• B. ADHD
• C. Intellectual disability
• D. Specific learning disorder

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is recognizing autism spectrum disorder by its characteristic pattern: persistent difficulties in social communication and interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. When a student shows both social-communication impairments and these restricted, repetitive behaviors, autism spectrum disorder is the most consistent explanation. ADHD focuses on inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity and doesn’t inherently include the persistent social-communication deficits or the distinct restricted/repetitive behaviors. Intellectual disability involves broad limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive skills, not the specific social-communication and behavioral pattern described. Specific learning disorder relates to difficulties with academic skills, not the social-communication and stereotyped behaviors that define autism. So the combination of social-communication challenges with restricted, repetitive behaviors best matches autism spectrum disorder.

The key idea here is recognizing autism spectrum disorder by its characteristic pattern: persistent difficulties in social communication and interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. When a student shows both social-communication impairments and these restricted, repetitive behaviors, autism spectrum disorder is the most consistent explanation.

ADHD focuses on inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity and doesn’t inherently include the persistent social-communication deficits or the distinct restricted/repetitive behaviors. Intellectual disability involves broad limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive skills, not the specific social-communication and behavioral pattern described. Specific learning disorder relates to difficulties with academic skills, not the social-communication and stereotyped behaviors that define autism.

So the combination of social-communication challenges with restricted, repetitive behaviors best matches autism spectrum disorder.