Autism

Question 1

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Answer 1

A persistent deficit in social communication and interaction across multiple settings, plus restricted/repetitive behaviors.

Question 2

What are the 3 core social deficits in ASD?

Answer 2

Lack of social reciprocity

Impaired nonverbal communication

Problems developing and maintaining relationships

Question 3

What are the 4 types of restricted/repetitive behaviors in ASD?

Answer 3

Stereotyped movements (e.g., hand flapping)

Insistence on sameness

Fixed/restricted interests

Hyper- or hyposensory input
“S-S-F-H”
Stereotyped
Sameness
Fixed interests
Hyper/Hypo sensory

Question 4

What developmental delays are red flags for ASD?

Answer 4

No cooing by age 1

No single words by 16 months

No two-word phrases by 24 months

Loss of language at any time

Question 5

Social red flags parents report in ASD?

Answer 5

No response to name

Little/no eye contact

No imaginary play

Little interest in playing with others

Question 6

Behavioral red flags in ASD?

Answer 6

Lining up toys

Intense tantrums

Resistance to routine changes

Self-injury

Short attention span
If the question says “does not respond when called by name” → think ASD

Question 7

Major ASD risk factors?

Answer 7

Male gender (4:1 ratio)

Intellectual disability

Familial history/genetic loading

Question 8

Age of onset for ASD symptoms?

Answer 8

Before age 3

Question 9

Screening tool for toddlers for autism?

Answer 9

M-CHAT (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers)

Question 10

Gold-standard observational diagnostic tool for ASD?

Answer 10

ADOS-G

Question 11

Broad developmental screening tool used at well-child visits?

Answer 11

ASQ (Ages and Stages Questionnaire)
Quick Memory Trick

👉 M-CHAT = “Mini-child autism test”

Question 12

What distinguishes Asperger’s from classic autism?

Answer 12

No significant delay in language or cognitive development

Question 13

What social features are still impaired in Asperger’s?

Answer 13

Abnormal nonverbal gestures

Poor peer relationships

Lack of emotional reciprocity

Question 14

Neurotransmitters implicated in ASD?

Answer 14

Glutamate

Serotonin

GABA

Question 15

Brain structures often abnormal in ASD?

Answer 15

Amygdala

Hippocampus

Cerebellum (↓ Purkinje cells)

Question 16

Are there medications that treat core ASD symptoms?

Answer 16

❌ No specific medication treats core deficits.

Question 17

What medication class helps with aggression, tantrums, and self-injury in ASD?

Answer 17

Antipsychotics

Question 18

FDA-approved antipsychotic commonly used in ASD?

Answer 18

Risperidone

Question 19

Why should benzodiazepines generally be avoided in children with ASD?

Answer 19

Risk of paradoxical agitation and behavioral worsening

Question 20

First-line treatment for ASD?

Answer 20

Behavioral therapy

Question 21

Therapies used in ASD?

Answer 21

Behavioral therapy

Speech therapy

Occupational therapy

Pivotal response training

Structured school placement