Translating the MIGDAS to DSM V-TR Criteria

(Jenny Coyne Psychology – DRAFT ONLY – 1/11/23)

NB: This list is an interpretation of how each individual MIGDAS item can be mapped onto the DSM5
criteria. This is not definitive and clinician’s own judgement should be used to ensure appropriate
data is considered for each of the DSM criteria.

*items with an asterix may be relevant to more than one criteria depending on the responses –
relevant criteria listed in far right column)

MIGDAS Item subject MIGDAS MIGDAS DSM Criteria

item no page no
A – SOCIAL
COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIO
N
A.1 – VERBAL COMMUNICATION
VERBAL/emotional expression
Language & Communication 1 15
Language & Communication 2 15
Language & Communication 3 15
Language & Communication 4 16
Language & Communication 5 16
Language & Communication 6 16
Language & Communication 7 16
Language & Communication 8 16
Content of preferred topics Observation 34
Quality, clarity and relevance of Observation 35
speech
Reciprocity Observation 36
Nonliteral language and Observation 37
humour
Sensory seeking* Observation 30 (+B.2, B.3)
Anxiety/agitation* Observation 41 (+A.3, B.4, D)

A.2 COMMUNICATION (non-

verbal)
Intonation & inflection Observation 33
Eye contact and eye gaze, p38 Observation 38
Facial expressions and overall Observation 39
quality of emotional responses
Sensory seeking* Observation 30
(Increase in
alertness/engagement)
A.3 RELATING TO OTHERS
Social relationships 1 17
Social relationships 2 18
Social relationships 3 18
Social relationships 4 18
Perception of self in relation to Observation 40
others
Anxiety/agitation* Observation 41 (+A.1, B.4, D)
Body Boundaries* 1 11 (+B.4)
Body Boundaries* 2 11 (+B.4)
Body Boundaries* 4 12 (+B.4)
Body Boundaries* 5 12 (+B.4)
Emotional responses* 1 18 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 2 18
Emotional responses* 3 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 4 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 5 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 6 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 7 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)

B – restricted/repetitive
behaviour
B.1 REPETITION – PHYSICAL
motor/speech
Body movements/mannerisms 1 13
Body movements/mannerisms 2 13

B.2 REPETION – BEHAVIOUR

(routine, rituals)
Predictability/routines 1 13
Predictability/routines 2 13
Predictability/routines 3 13
Predictability/routines 4 13
Sensory seeking* Observation 30 (+A.1, B.3)
Sensory* Observation 31 (+B.4)
(crowds,
unpredictable/changes)
Emotional responses* 1 18 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 2 18
Emotional responses* 3 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 4 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 5 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 6 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 7 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
 differential/coccuring)

B.3 DEEP/INTENSE SPINS

Interests/activities 1 3
Interests/activities 2 3
Interests/activities 3 3
Interests/activities 4 3
Interests/activities 5 4
Interests/activities 6 4
Interests/activities 7 4
Interests/activities 8 4
Hiistory of interests 1 5
Hiistory of interests 2 5
Sensory seeking* Observation 30 (+A.1, B.2)
Emotional responses* 1 18 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 2 18
Emotional responses* 3 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 4 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 5 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 6 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 7 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)

B.4 – SENSORY PROCESSING

Sensory use 1 5
Sensory use 2 5
Sensory use 3 6
Sensory use 4 6
Noises 1 6
Noises 2 6
Noises 3 7
Smells 1 7
Smells 2 7
Smells 3 7
Touch 1 8
Touch 2 8
Touch 3 8
Food 1 9
Food 2 9
Food 3 9
Food 4 9
Food 5 9
Clothing 1 10
Clothing 2 10
Clothing 3 10
Body Boundaries* 1 11 (+A.3)
Body Boundaries* 2 11 (+A.3)
Body Boundaries 3 11
Body Boundaries* 4 12 (+A.3)
Body Boundaries* 5 12 (+A.3)
Pain tolerance 1 12
Pain tolerance 2 12
Sensory* Observation 31 (+B.2)
Anxiety/agitation* Observation 41 (+A.1, A.3, D)

C - Childhood

D. IMPAIRMENT/FUNCTIONING
Sensory impact 1 15
Sleep* 1 10 (differential/coccuring)
Sleep* 2 11 (differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 1 18 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 2 18
Emotional responses* 3 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 4 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 5 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 6 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Emotional responses* 7 19 (+ A.3, B.2, B.3, B4,
differential/coccuring)
Sensory sensitivities* Observation 31 (+B.4)
(impact)
Anxiety/agitation* Observation 41 (+A.1, A.3, B.4)

E. not better explained by other

ADHD (DIFFERENTIAL + COOCCURING)
BPAD
FASD
etc