New Autism Listing

In our continuing effort to provide information related to Social Security’s new listings on mental impairments we are going to look at changes made to the Autism listing. And, as just a reminder, Social Security’s set of listings are used in evaluating disability claims judging a condition’s severity and how it limits a person’s ability to function. We will post the current listing for Autism followed by the new listing, which will take effect January 17, 2017. The new Autism listing appears to be a bit less restrictive, but is the case with all these new listings it will depend on how certain interpretations are made.

Current Autism Listing

12.10 Autistic disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders: Characterized by qualitative deficits in the development of reciprocal social interaction, in the development of verbal and nonverbal communication skills, and in imaginative activity. Often, there is a markedly restricted repertoire of activities and interests, which frequently are stereotyped and repetitive.

The required level of severity for these disorders is met when the requirements in both A and B are satisfied.

  1. Medically documented findings of the following:
  2. For autistic disorder, all of the following:
  3. Qualitative deficits in reciprocal social interaction; and
  4. Qualitative deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication and in imaginative activity; and
  5. Markedly restricted repertoire of activities and interests;

OR

  1. For other pervasive developmental disorders, both of the following:
  2. Qualitative deficits in reciprocal social interaction; and
  3. Qualitative deficits in verbal and nonverbal communication and in imaginative activity;

AND

  1. Resulting in at least two of the following:
  2. Marked restriction of activities of daily living; or
  3. Marked difficulties in maintaining social functioning; or
  4. Marked difficulties in maintaining concentration, persistence, or pace; or
  5. Repeated episodes of decompensation, each of extended duration.

New Autism Listing

12.10 Autism spectrum disorder, satisfied by A and B:

  1. Medical documentation of both of the following:
  2. Qualitative deficits in verbal communication, nonverbal communication, and social interaction; and
  3. Significantly restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.

AND

  1. Extreme limitation of one, or marked limitation of two, of the following areas of mental functioning:
  2. Understand, remember, or apply information.
  3. Interact with others.
  4. Concentrate, persist, or maintain pace.
  5. Adapt or manage oneself.