# What is the ICD-11 classification for Autism Spectrum? Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-autism-spectrum Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited 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. *Clinicians reaching for the right code need precision, not paraphrase — here is exactly where autism sits in ICD-11.* ## In short In 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. ## How ICD-11 structures the diagnosis ICD-11 captures clinical heterogeneity not through subtypes but through **specifiers appended to 6A02**, which is essential for accurate coding: - **Intellectual development** — with or without disorder of intellectual development. - **Functional language** — with mild or no, impaired, or complete absence of functional language. - Recognised pattern of loss of previously acquired skills where applicable. So 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. ## The Pinnacle way Developmental 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](/). ## Trusted sources WHO 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). **Next step —** Have a child you suspect meets 6A02 criteria? [Refer to a Pinnacle clinician](/) for a structured developmental assessment. This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. ## Sources - WHO ICD-11 — Autism spectrum disorder: https://icd.who.int/browse11 - NICE CG128 — Autism recognition & diagnosis: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg128 - NIMHANS — autism clinical resources: https://nimhans.ac.in - American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): https://www.healthychildren.org ## Connected topics and perspectives - Conditions: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/conditions - Doctor: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/doctor - Social: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/social - Definition: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/definition - Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen - Autism Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/autism-therapy - Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity ## Related question paths ### Understand the subject - What is Autism Spectrum, and what are its ICD-11 features in early childhood?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-autism-spectrum-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood - ICD-11 Classification of Social Communication Difficulties: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-social-communication-difficulties - What is Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-autism-spectrum - What is the SNOMED CT concept for Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-snomed-ct-concept-for-autism-spectrum - ICD-11 Classification for Intellectual Disability (6A00): https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-intellectual-disability - What are the types or levels of Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-autism-spectrum - How Autism Spectrum Affects a Child's Daily Life: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-autism-spectrum-affect-a-child-s-daily-life - Is Autism Spectrum considered a disability?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-autism-spectrum-considered-a-disability - Is Autism Spectrum genetic or hereditary?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-autism-spectrum-genetic-or-hereditary - What are common myths about Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-common-myths-about-autism-spectrum - What causes Autism Spectrum in children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-autism-spectrum-in-children - Early Intervention Outcomes for Autism Under 7: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-current-research-show-about-early-intervention-outcomes-for-autism-spectrum-in-children-under-7 ### Recognise signs & concerns - Early Indicators of Autism Spectrum for Paediatricians: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-early-indicators-of-autism-spectrum-should-a-paediatrician-watch-for - When should a doctor refer a child with suspected autism for developmental therapy?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-a-doctor-refer-a-child-with-suspected-autism-spectrum-for-developmental-therapy - Can Autism Spectrum Be Cured?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-autism-spectrum-be-cured - Can Autism Spectrum Be Prevented?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-autism-spectrum-be-prevented - Do boys show Autism Spectrum differently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-boys-show-autism-spectrum-differently - Do girls show Autism Spectrum differently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-girls-show-autism-spectrum-differently - How a frontline health worker can spot possible autism early: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-frontline-health-worker-spot-a-child-with-possible-autism-spectrum-early - What are the early signs of Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-autism-spectrum - Early signs of Autism Spectrum in a 1-year-old boy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-autism-spectrum-in-a-1-year-old-boy - Early Signs of Autism Spectrum in a 1-Year-Old Girl: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-autism-spectrum-in-a-1-year-old-girl - What are the early signs of Autism Spectrum in a 12-to-18-month-old?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-autism-spectrum-in-a-12-to-18-month-old - Early Signs of Autism Spectrum at 18–24 Months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-autism-spectrum-in-a-18-to-24-month-old ### Explore causes & influences - Known contributing factors for Autism Spectrum: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-known-contributing-factors-for-autism-spectrum-in-early-childhood - Are boys more likely to have autism spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-boys-more-likely-to-have-autism-spectrum - Are girls more likely to have Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-girls-more-likely-to-have-autism-spectrum - How Autism Early Intervention Advances UN Child Rights and the SDGs: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-early-intervention-for-autism-spectrum-advance-un-child-rights-uncrpd-and-the-sdgs - What causes Autism Spectrum in young children?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-causes-autism-spectrum-in-young-children - Cost-Effectiveness of Early Autism Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-cost-effectiveness-of-early-therapy-for-autism-spectrum-in-young-children - Autism prevalence and public-health burden in young children in India: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-prevalence-and-public-health-burden-of-autism-spectrum-among-young-children-in-india ### Understand assessment - Recommended autism screening and diagnostic pathway under 7: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-recommended-screening-and-diagnostic-pathway-for-autism-spectrum-in-children-under-7 - How does AbilityScore track progress in a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-abilityscore-track-progress-in-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - How Autism Spectrum Is Assessed in a Young Child: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-autism-spectrum-assessed-in-a-young-child - What Does an AbilityScore of 0–100 Mean for a Child with Autism?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What an AbilityScore® of 100–200 means for a child with Autism Spectrum: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What does an AbilityScore of 200–300 mean for a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What does an AbilityScore of 300–400 mean for a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-300-400-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What does an AbilityScore of 400–500 mean for a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What does an AbilityScore of 500–600 mean for a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What does an AbilityScore of 600–700 mean for a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-600-700-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What does an AbilityScore of 700–800 mean for a child with Autism Spectrum?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-700-800-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - What an AbilityScore of 800–900 Means for a Child with Autism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-800-900-mean-for-a-child-with-autism-spectrum ### Explore therapy & support - Supporting an Autistic Child Day to Day as a Caregiver: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/as-a-grandparent-or-caregiver-how-can-i-support-a-child-with-autism-spectrum-day-to-day - Can a Child with Autism Attend a Mainstream School?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-autism-spectrum-attend-a-mainstream-school - Can a Child with Autism Attend a Regular School?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-autism-spectrum-attend-a-regular-school - Can a Child With Autism Live Independently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-autism-spectrum-grow-up-to-live-independently - How a Teacher Can Help a Child on the Autism Spectrum Learn: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-classroom-teacher-help-a-child-with-autism-spectrum-take-part-and-learn - How a district early intervention programme can identify and support children under 7 with Autism Spectrum: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-district-early-intervention-programme-identify-and-support-children-under-7-with-autism-spectrum - How can a teacher include and support a young child with Autism Spectrum in a mainstream classroom?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-a-teacher-include-and-support-a-young-child-with-autism-spectrum-in-a-mainstream-classroom - How to Support Social Development in a Child with Autism: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-we-support-social-development-in-a-child-with-autism-spectrum - How therapy helps a child with autism progress: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-therapy-help-a-child-with-autism-spectrum-make-progress - How is Autism Spectrum diagnosed in a child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-autism-spectrum-diagnosed-in-a-child - How is Autism Spectrum supported through therapy?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-autism-spectrum-supported-through-therapy - Autism AbilityScore® — What to Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-autism-spectrum-has-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-what-should-we-do-next