ADHD and ASD Flashcards
What is the main diagnostic triad of ADHD?
Inattention
Hyperactivity
Impulsivity
What do the symptoms of ADHD have to be to make a diagnosis?
Developmentally inappropriate
Impairing function
Pervasive across settings
Present for at least 6 months
How is a diagnosis of ADHD in childhood made?
History
Observation at home and school
Diagnostic tools like the ADHD rating scale
What are non-pharmacological options for management of ADHD?
Parent training
Social skills training
Sleep and diet changes
Psychoeducation
What is the pathway of pharmacological treatments of ADHD?
First line: stimulants
Second line: SSRI - atomoxine
Third line: alpha agonist
4th line: antidepressants (imipramine) or antipsychotics (risperidone)
What are examples of stimulants used in ADHD?
Methylphenidate
Dexamfetamine
Lisdexamfetamine
What is the mechanism of methylphenidate as treatment for ADHD?
CNS stimulant associated that works primarily by improving dopamine signalling in the networks associated with executive functioning
What are side effects of methylphenidate?
Headache
Poor appetite
Insomnia
How do SSRIs work in ADHD?
Non-stimulant - work by inhibiting noradrenaline uptake
What are side effects of SSRIs in ADHD?
Nausea
Dry mouth
Weight loss
What alpha agonists are used in ADHD?
Clonidine
Guanfacine
What are the domains in which people with ASD struggle?
Social interactions
Social imagination
Communication
Repetitive behaviours
What is meant by social imagination?
Ability to imagine and understand what others are thinking or their point of view
Ability to imagine yourself in the future and plan for goals
In what ways do people with ASD struggle with social interaction?
Find relationships difficult to establish and sustain
Struggle to figure out social situations so can appear self-focused and lacking in empathy
Lack interest in others
In what ways do people with ASD struggle with communication?
Delay in receptive and expressive language
Struggle to make eye contact
Struggle to understand sarcasm, metaphors, underlying meanings of conversation
Struggle to initiate and sustain conversation
Stress, pitch or rhythm of speech may be odd or monotonous
Language can be pedantic and idiosyncratic