10- Autism Flashcards
What is the definition of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
A lifelong disability that affects how people might be communicating and interacting with the world
8 ways that ASD is characterised
- Impairments in social interaction
- Impairments in communication
- Presence of restricted and repetitive behaviours
- Attachment to objects
- Obsessions
- Repetitive manners
- Social issues
- Language skills
What can very quickly be noticed in individuals with ASD?
Social difficulties
Which individuals have Asperger’s syndrome?
Some autistic individuals who are highly talented
What does spectrum mean?
There is lots of variability
Who is ASD more common in?
Boys
When are most diagnoses of ASD made?
Between ages 3-6
What 3 things does an ASD diagnosis require?
- Impairments in social interaction
- Impairment in communication
- Repetitive patterns of behaviours
Which 2 brain regions are implicated in ASD?
- Mainly the ventral medial prefrontal cortex
- Frontal cortex
What is the ventral medial prefrontal cortex associated with?
Social communication ability
What volume is reduced in autistic people?
The ventral medial prefrontal cortex
What is amount of tissue loss in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex associated with?
Symptom severity
What does the frontal cortex control?
Executive brain functions and higher-order cognitive processes
When is the frontal cortex important?
For social behaviour
What is abnormal in the frontal cortex in autism?
Abnormal growth
