{"h1":"ICD-11 Classification for Autism Spectrum (6A02)","faq":[{"a":"Autism spectrum disorder is classified under code 6A02 in ICD-11-MMS, within the neurodevelopmental disorders grouping.","q":"What is the ICD-11 code for autism spectrum disorder?"},{"a":"ICD-11 replaces the older subtypes — autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder NOS — with a single dimensional Autism spectrum disorder (6A02), differentiated instead by specifiers for intellectual development and functional language.","q":"How does ICD-11 differ from ICD-10 for autism?"},{"a":"ICD-11 distinguishes presence or absence of a disorder of intellectual development and the degree of functional language impairment (mild or none, impaired, or complete absence), and notes any loss of previously acquired skills.","q":"What specifiers does ICD-11 use for 6A02?"},{"a":"No. The 6A02 code is a classification; a diagnosis and a clinical AbilityScore® are established only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care, supported by a structured developmental assessment.","q":"Does the ICD-11 code replace clinical assessment?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-autism-spectrum","title":"What is the ICD-11 classification for Autism Spectrum?","entity":{"key":"autism","kind":"condition","name":"Autism Spectrum","slug":null},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Doctor","value":"doctor"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Social","value":"social"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Definition","value":"definition"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Autism-Therapy","value":"autism-therapy"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"}],"parent":{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-autism-spectrum","title":"What is Autism Spectrum?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-autism-spectrum","title":"What are the types or levels of Autism Spectrum?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-intellectual-disability","title":"ICD-11 Classification for Intellectual Disability (6A00)"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-snomed-ct-concept-for-autism-spectrum","title":"What is the SNOMED CT concept for Autism Spectrum?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-autism-spectrum-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Autism Spectrum, and what are its ICD-11 features in early childhood?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-social-communication-difficulties","title":"ICD-11 Classification of Social Communication Difficulties"}],"summary":"In ICD-11-MMS, Autism spectrum disorder is coded 6A02 within neurodevelopmental disorders, defined by persistent reciprocal social-communication deficits plus restricted, repetitive behaviours with developmental-period onset. ICD-11 replaces older subtypes with a single dimensional spectrum, using specifiers for intellectual development and functional language.","answer_md":"*Clinicians reaching for the right code need precision, not paraphrase — here is exactly where autism sits in ICD-11.*\n\n## In short\nIn ICD-11-MMS, **Autism spectrum disorder is classified under code 6A02**, within the grouping of neurodevelopmental disorders (block 6A0). It is defined by persistent deficits in the capacity to initiate and sustain reciprocal social interaction and social communication, together with a range of restricted, repetitive and inflexible patterns of behaviour, interests or activities, with onset during the developmental period. Unlike DSM-IV/ICD-10, ICD-11 abandons the older subtypes (autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, PDD-NOS) in favour of a single dimensional spectrum.\n\n## How ICD-11 structures the diagnosis\nICD-11 captures clinical heterogeneity not through subtypes but through **specifiers appended to 6A02**, which is essential for accurate coding:\n- **Intellectual development** — with or without disorder of intellectual development.\n- **Functional language** — with mild or no, impaired, or complete absence of functional language.\n- Recognised pattern of loss of previously acquired skills where applicable.\n\nSo a child may be coded, for example, as 6A02.0 (without disorder of intellectual development and with mild or no impairment of functional language) through to 6A02.5 and related qualifiers. Symptoms must be present across multiple contexts and cause significant impairment, with the caveat that manifestations may be masked by learned strategies or surface only when social demands exceed capacity. ICD-11 aligns conceptually with the WHO ICF model of functioning, which is why a functional developmental profile complements the categorical code in clinical practice.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nDevelopmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional., under qualified clinician care — never from a code lookup, an app or an online form. The ICD-11 6A02 classification tells you *what*; a clinician-administered structured assessment tells you *where this child stands today* and *what support will help most*. Explore our [autism developmental support pathway](/autism), the [AbilityScore® methodology](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated), or refer directly via [our network](/).\n\n## Trusted sources\nWHO ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, entity 6A02 (Autism spectrum disorder); NICE clinical guideline CG128 on autism recognition and diagnosis; NIMHANS clinical autism resources; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org).\n\n**Next step —** Have a child you suspect meets 6A02 criteria? [Refer to a Pinnacle clinician](/) for a structured developmental assessment.\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-autism-spectrum","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-autism-spectrum","lang":"en","indexable":true},{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-autism-spectrum-te","lang":"te","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"}],"meta_title":"ICD-11 Autism Spectrum Classification (6A02)","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"When coding 6A02, pair the categorical diagnosis with a functional ICF-aligned profile so the record reflects the child's day-to-day support needs, not just the label.","published_at":"2026-06-10T10:52:00.07543+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"understand","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-autism-spectrum-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","title":"What is Autism Spectrum, and what are its ICD-11 features in early childhood?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-social-communication-difficulties","title":"ICD-11 Classification of Social Communication Difficulties","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-autism-spectrum","title":"What is Autism Spectrum?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-snomed-ct-concept-for-autism-spectrum","title":"What is the SNOMED CT concept for Autism Spectrum?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-intellectual-disability","title":"ICD-11 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