HELP with Interruption of Reading DSM Diagnosis

Post Reply New Topic

I need some help in understanding the DSM diagnosis:

Diagnosis

Axis I: Autism Spectrum Disorder (299.
Axis II: Nil
Axis III: Defer (for Rule out ADHD and Developmental Coordination Disorder - I understand this notation)
Axis IV: Moderate - What does this mean?
Axis V: 50 - What does this mean?

After the assessment I did have a discussion with the doctor and was give a interim report for my son but just recceived the full report on Friday.

Thanks

Axis IV indicates the amount of psychosocial stress your son has faced in the past (year, I think). So "moderate" means he has experienced more psychosocial stress than your "average" person, but not an extreme amount.

Axis 5 indicates his level of functioning. 100 is the highest, so 50 would mean he is moderately impaired. I assume that since his Axis I is autism, he is probably moderately socially impaired. But that impairment can refer to other types of impairment, like your ability to hold down a job, live independently, etc.

Thanks for the information!