What is ICD-10 code F84.0?

F84.0 is the ICD-10-CM code for Autistic Disorder. Under DSM-5-TR, the diagnostic concept is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which collapsed previous DSM-IV separate codes (Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, PDD-NOS) into a single dimensional category. F84.0 is the standard code for ASD presentations.

What are the diagnostic criteria for F84.0?

DSM-5-TR Autism Spectrum Disorder requires: (A) persistent deficits in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts (deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communication, developing relationships); (B) restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interests (≥2 of 4: stereotyped/repetitive movements, insistence on sameness, highly restricted interests, sensory atypicalities); (C) symptoms present in early developmental period; (D) clinically significant impairment; (E) not better explained by intellectual disability alone.

What scale is used to screen for F84.0 in adults?

The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is widely used as a brief 50-item self-report screener for adults; a score of 32 or higher is the clinical cutoff. The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R) is a more sensitive 80-item self-report (cutoff 65). Diagnostic confirmation requires structured clinical assessment such as ADOS-2 or ADI-R.

What is the difference between F84.0 and Asperger Syndrome?

Asperger Syndrome was a separate DSM-IV/ICD-10 diagnosis (F84.5) characterized by autism without language or cognitive delay. DSM-5-TR (2013) and ICD-10 collapsed it into Autism Spectrum Disorder. F84.5 still appears in U.S. ICD-10-CM, but contemporary practice is to code most adult ASD presentations as F84.0 with severity specifiers.

Can F84.0 be diagnosed in adulthood?

Yes. DSM-5-TR requires that symptoms be present from the early developmental period but allows for diagnosis to be made in adulthood when masking, accommodations, or environmental support previously concealed presentation. A retrospective developmental history is essential. Screeners (AQ, RAADS-R) flag potential cases; full diagnosis requires clinical assessment.

Is F84.0 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

Yes, F84.0 is a billable code in the FY2027 ICD-10-CM code set (effective October 1, 2026). It is the standard reimbursed code for Autism Spectrum Disorder in U.S. behavioural health. F84.0 stands at maximum specificity in its hierarchy with no further subdivisions; severity (Level 1, 2, or 3) is documented in the chart rather than the code itself.

What are the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder produces persistent differences in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Social communication features include differences in social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communication (eye contact, gestures), and developing or maintaining relationships. Restricted and repetitive features include stereotyped movements or speech, insistence on sameness or routines, intensely focused interests, and unusual sensory responses. Symptoms must be present in early development and cause clinically significant impairment in daily functioning.

How is autism diagnosed?

Autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed by a clinician using DSM-5-TR criteria, which require persistent social communication deficits across multiple contexts plus at least two of four restricted-repetitive behavior categories, with symptoms present in early development. Diagnosis typically follows a positive AQ or RAADS-R screen, a structured assessment such as ADOS-2 or ADI-R, retrospective developmental history from family, and ruling out intellectual disability alone as a better explanation.

Autism spectrum disorder arises primarily from genetic factors, with environmental contributors during prenatal and perinatal development. Heritability estimates from twin studies range from 60% to 90%, the highest of any neurodevelopmental condition. Hundreds of genes contribute, with rare high-impact variants in some cases and polygenic risk in others. Prenatal contributors include advanced parental age, maternal infection during pregnancy, and certain medication exposures. There is no scientifically credible link to vaccines.

Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition rather than an illness to be cured. Evidence-based supports focus on improving communication, daily living skills, social functioning, and quality of life. These include early intervention programs (Early Start Denver Model, Pivotal Response Treatment), speech and occupational therapy, behavioural supports, social skills training, and accommodation in school and work. Co-occurring conditions (anxiety, ADHD, depression) are treated with their own evidence-based approaches.

F84.0ICD-10-CMAutism Spectrum Disorder (Autistic Disorder)

Official ICD-10-CM descriptor: Autistic disorder · Category header, not billable: use a more specific code

Persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, alongside restricted/repetitive patterns of behavior or interests, present from the early developmental period and causing clinically significant impairment.

Recommended screener

Validated screener
Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ)
View scale

DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria summary

Autism Spectrum Disorder requires:

Criterion A, Social communication and interaction deficits, persistent across multiple contexts. ALL THREE of: deficits in social-emotional reciprocity; deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors; deficits in developing/maintaining relationships.
Criterion B, Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. AT LEAST TWO of: stereotyped or repetitive motor movements/use of objects/speech; insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, ritualized patterns; highly restricted, fixated interests; hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual sensory interests.
Criterion C, Symptoms present in the early developmental period (may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities).
Criterion D, Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning.
Criterion E, Not better explained by intellectual developmental disorder or global developmental delay.

Severity specifiers: Level 1 (requiring support), Level 2 (requiring substantial support), Level 3 (requiring very substantial support), specified separately for social communication and restricted/repetitive behaviors.

Source: American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), p. 56–67.

Differential diagnosis

Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder (F80.89), communication deficits without the restricted/repetitive behavior cluster.
Intellectual Disability (F70–F79), when present, may co-occur with ASD; differentiated by relative level of social communication vs cognitive ability.
ADHD (F90.x), high comorbidity; ADHD-only does not include the social communication deficits or restricted interests required for ASD.
Anxiety Disorders (F40.x, F41.x), social avoidance in social anxiety can mimic ASD social withdrawal; differential rests on whether deficits are pervasive (ASD) vs anxiety-mediated.
OCD (F42.x), repetitive behaviors in OCD are ego-dystonic and anxiety-driven; ASD repetitive behaviors are often ego-syntonic and self-soothing.
Schizoid Personality Disorder (F60.1), can mimic ASD social distance but lacks the developmental onset and restricted-interest pattern.

Common comorbidities

Autism Spectrum Disorder has high lifetime comorbidity. Common co-occurring conditions: ADHD (F90.x, 30–80% comorbidity), Anxiety Disorders (F40.x, F41.x), Major Depressive Disorder (F33, F32), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (F42.x), Tic Disorders (F95.x), and gastrointestinal conditions. Co-administer ASRS, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 alongside ASD-specific screeners.

Sources

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), F84.0, p. 56–67.
Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Skinner, R., Martin, J., & Clubley, E. (2001). The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 31(1), 5–17.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ICD-10-CM Official Coding Guidelines.

← All ICD-10 codesView Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) →Billing codes hub →

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Frequently asked questions

What is ICD-10 code F84.0?
F84.0 is the ICD-10-CM code for Autistic Disorder. Under DSM-5-TR, the diagnostic concept is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which collapsed previous DSM-IV separate codes (Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome, PDD-NOS) into a single dimensional category. F84.0 is the standard code for ASD presentations.
What are the diagnostic criteria for F84.0?
DSM-5-TR Autism Spectrum Disorder requires: (A) persistent deficits in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts (deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communication, developing relationships); (B) restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interests (≥2 of 4: stereotyped/repetitive movements, insistence on sameness, highly restricted interests, sensory atypicalities); (C) symptoms present in early developmental period; (D) clinically significant impairment; (E) not better explained by intellectual disability alone.
What scale is used to screen for F84.0 in adults?
The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is widely used as a brief 50-item self-report screener for adults; a score of 32 or higher is the clinical cutoff. The Ritvo Autism Asperger Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R) is a more sensitive 80-item self-report (cutoff 65). Diagnostic confirmation requires structured clinical assessment such as ADOS-2 or ADI-R.
What is the difference between F84.0 and Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger Syndrome was a separate DSM-IV/ICD-10 diagnosis (F84.5) characterized by autism without language or cognitive delay. DSM-5-TR (2013) and ICD-10 collapsed it into Autism Spectrum Disorder. F84.5 still appears in U.S. ICD-10-CM, but contemporary practice is to code most adult ASD presentations as F84.0 with severity specifiers.
Can F84.0 be diagnosed in adulthood?
Yes. DSM-5-TR requires that symptoms be present from the early developmental period but allows for diagnosis to be made in adulthood when masking, accommodations, or environmental support previously concealed presentation. A retrospective developmental history is essential. Screeners (AQ, RAADS-R) flag potential cases; full diagnosis requires clinical assessment.
Is F84.0 a billable ICD-10-CM code?
Yes, F84.0 is a billable code in the FY2027 ICD-10-CM code set (effective October 1, 2026). It is the standard reimbursed code for Autism Spectrum Disorder in U.S. behavioural health. F84.0 stands at maximum specificity in its hierarchy with no further subdivisions; severity (Level 1, 2, or 3) is documented in the chart rather than the code itself.
What are the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder produces persistent differences in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Social communication features include differences in social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communication (eye contact, gestures), and developing or maintaining relationships. Restricted and repetitive features include stereotyped movements or speech, insistence on sameness or routines, intensely focused interests, and unusual sensory responses. Symptoms must be present in early development and cause clinically significant impairment in daily functioning.
How is autism diagnosed?
Autism spectrum disorder is diagnosed by a clinician using DSM-5-TR criteria, which require persistent social communication deficits across multiple contexts plus at least two of four restricted-repetitive behavior categories, with symptoms present in early development. Diagnosis typically follows a positive AQ or RAADS-R screen, a structured assessment such as ADOS-2 or ADI-R, retrospective developmental history from family, and ruling out intellectual disability alone as a better explanation.
What causes autism?
Autism spectrum disorder arises primarily from genetic factors, with environmental contributors during prenatal and perinatal development. Heritability estimates from twin studies range from 60% to 90%, the highest of any neurodevelopmental condition. Hundreds of genes contribute, with rare high-impact variants in some cases and polygenic risk in others. Prenatal contributors include advanced parental age, maternal infection during pregnancy, and certain medication exposures. There is no scientifically credible link to vaccines.
Can autism be cured?
Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition rather than an illness to be cured. Evidence-based supports focus on improving communication, daily living skills, social functioning, and quality of life. These include early intervention programs (Early Start Denver Model, Pivotal Response Treatment), speech and occupational therapy, behavioural supports, social skills training, and accommodation in school and work. Co-occurring conditions (anxiety, ADHD, depression) are treated with their own evidence-based approaches.