Question

While at home, Joshua runs through the house chasing the cat, even though he has been told many times not to do so. At school, he often needs instructions repeated and rules explained over and over. Joshua also misses social cues and doesn’t seem to understand other children very well. Joshua might qualify for a diagnosis of

Group of answer choices

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

oppositional-defiant disorder.

Asperger’s syndrome.

dissociative identity disorder.

Answer 1

Asperger’s syndrome.

Rationale: the key features are impaired social understanding (missing social cues, not understanding peers) and difficulty with social rules and routines (needing rules explained repeatedly). ADHD or ODD could explain impulsive or rule-breaking behavior, but they don’t primarily account for the marked social deficits described.