skip to main content

ASD ICD-11 Classification — MRCPsych Paper B MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateChild & Adolescent PsychiatryASD ICD-11 ClassificationMRCPsych Paper B

A multidisciplinary assessment confirms autism spectrum disorder in a 22-year-old man. Formal cognitive and adaptive assessment shows no disorder of intellectual development. He speaks fluently in complex sentences and can use language effectively to communicate his needs and experiences, although he has difficulty interpreting sarcasm and other social cues. Which ICD-11 classification best applies?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Autism spectrum disorder without disorder of intellectual development and with mild or no impairment of functional language

Explanation lettering: D = shown as A · E = shown as B · B = shown as C · C = shown as D · A = shown as E

Answer A. ICD-11 classifies autism spectrum disorder using qualifiers for the presence or absence of a disorder of intellectual development and for functional-language impairment. This man has no intellectual developmental disorder on cognitive and adaptive assessment and uses complex speech functionally, so the relevant category specifies mild or no impairment of functional language. Difficulty interpreting sarcasm reflects the social-communication features of autism and does not itself establish functional-language impairment. B is excluded by the assessment of intellectual development. IQ alone would not have been sufficient, which is why adaptive functioning is specified in the stem. Asperger syndrome, childhood autism and atypical autism are former subtype diagnoses and are not separate ICD-11 autism categories.

Reference: Silleresi S, et al. Identifying Language and Cognitive Profiles in Children With ASD via a Cluster Analysis Exploration: Implications for the New ICD-11. Autism Research. 2020;13:1155–1167. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31985169/