What is autism?
Neurodevelopmental disorder in which persons present with a range of impairments in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as restrictions in behaviors and interests
Screening tools? (3)
- Autism Disorder Observation Scale (ADOS)
- M-CHAT: Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers
- STAT: Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children
3 signs of autism?
- Impaired development of social interaction and communication
- Markedly restricted repertoire of interests and activities
- Symptoms before age 3
4 signs of Impaired development of social interaction and communication?
- Inability to initiate or sustain conversation
- Lack of spoken language
- Repetitive speech/echolalia
- Absence of pretend or spontaneous play
2 signs of Markedly restricted repertoire of interests and activities?
- Inflexible in routine
- Repetitive behaviors (perseverance)
3 signs of Asperger’s?
- Delays in social interaction
- Repetitive behaviors, interests or activities
- No delays in language, speech, cognition or curiosity
What is Pervasive Developmental Disorders – Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS)?
Does not meet specific criteria for autism
Signs of Rhett Disorder? (4)
- Genetic
- Females with typical development
- Brain growth decelerates, skills lost starting around 5 months
- Stereotypical arm movements
Signs of Childhood Disintegrative Disorder? (2)
- Typical development
- Sudden loss of language, bowel and bladder control after 2 years or older
Signs of Fragile X Syndrome? (3)
Genetic
Males
Presentation very similar to ASD
What is Social Communication Disorder? (2)
- Limitations in the social use of language
- Absence of restricted interests and repetitive behaviors
Difference btwn DSMs in terms of categorization?
DSM V lumped all the disoders together
What are the levels of severity for autism?
Level 1: Requires Support
Level 2: Requires Substantial Support
Level 3: Requires Very Substantial Support
Define Level 1
Without supports in place, deficits in social communication cause noticeable impairments. Difficulty initiating social interactions, and clear examples of atypical or unsuccessful response to social overtures of others. May appear to have decreased interest in social interactions.
Define Level 2
Marked deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills; social impairments apparent even with supports in place; limited initiation of social interactions; and reduced or abnormal responses to social overtures from others.
Define Level 3
Severe deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills cause severe impairments in functioning, very limited initiation of social interactions, and minimal response to social overtures from others
When is diagnosis made? ASD? PDD-NOS? Asperger’s?
- May be diagnosed as early as 2 years, typically closer to 4; More “severe” cases diagnosed earlier
- ASD: 4 years
- PDD-NOS: 4 years 2 months
- Asperger’s: 6 years 2 months
Parents often notice signs when? What are they? (5)
- Parents often notice signs within the first year
Vision and hearing
Social and communication
Fine motor
Potential Risk Factors? (4)
- Weak link to genetic syndromes (10%)
- Identical twins and siblings
- Children born to older parents have a higher risk of being diagnosed with ASD 2
- Exposure to prescription medications
Current statistics? (3)
- Currently 1 in 68 chance, up significantly from 1 in 166 in 2000
- 1 in 42 for boys
- 1 in 189 for girls
Neuropathology? (2)
- Typical head circumference at birth, increases in the first 2 years
- Overconnection of “short range” neurons, underconnection of “long range”
Typical head circumference at birth, increases in the first 2 years due to? (3)
- ? Overgrowth followed by arrest in growth and degeneration
- Overgrowth in frontal and temporal lobes, amygdala
- They’re not going through the typical tuning and pruning process
Overconnection of “short range” neurons, underconnection of “long range”? (2)
- Poor integration of areas
- Ability to complete “simple” tasks is uninhibited
Describe 3 aspects of attention? 2 of executive function?
- Preoccupiations
- Difficulty shifting focus
- Lack of or delayed response to name
Executive Function
- Difficulty inhibiting repetitive movements
- Inflexibility in patterns
