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

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.