ASD Flashcards
what is the DSM-V key criteria to be dx w ASD
- impaired social communication skills
- restricted, repetitive behaviors
- sx present in early childhood
- everyday functioning impaired/limited d/t sx
what is the CDC’s definition of ASD
group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges
what dictates where on the spectrum of autism someone is (3)
- degree of support required
- under what conditions individual may have issues w social communication and other sx of ASD
- qualifiers that accompany dx (ex: ID, language deficits)
how and why do individuals w ASD benefit from motor interventions
benefit both motor and socially
motor issues related to praxis and motor planning
- progress motor skills -> social growth to play with other kids
- frank motor skills
what is the prevalence of ASD
inc and don’t know why
- most common pedi developmental disorder
- more commonly dx in males than females
what is the etiology of ASD
genetic vulnerability w environmental trigger
- ASD is heterogenous which makes research into causation difficult
what are 6 environmental factors to the etiology of ASD
- mother taking valproic acid (for epilepsy, BPD) while pregnant
- advanced age paternal > maternal
- prenatal exposures
- extreme psychosocial conditions
- air pollutants
- heavy metals
what is a debunked environmental trigger
vaccines (esp MMR)
what medications a mom might be on that can inc ASD risk of child
valproic acid - epilepsy, BPD
SSRIs - inconsistent evidence
what role does a father with an advanced age play as an environmental trigger
de novo mutations
d/t cumulated inc risk of mutations in spermatogenesis across lifespan of father
thoughts on prenatal exposures being an environmental trigger
suggested, not definitive in its effect on the fetal environment
what are 5 prenatal exposures that may be environmental triggers
maternal obesity
DM
HTN
maternal infection -> immune response
high fetal sex steroid exposure
describe how a maternal infection may be an environmental trigger as prenatal exposure
immune response to infection passing thru placenta, inflammatory response could have impact on developing neuro processes in fetus
- low grade neuro inflammation
describe extreme psychosocial conditions as an environmental factor
institutionalization w low levels of stim & care can lead to autistic-like characteristics
- initial presentation of ASD, but amenable to treatment
extreme maternal stress as well
describe air pollutants as an environmental factor and what the evidence is
neuroinflammation and oxidative stress - relative to developing fetus
modest evidence
what heavy metals are environmental factors
toxic exposure to lead
- mercury esp
what are 3 predisposing genetic factors
- inc risk w some inherited conditions
- chromosomal abnormalities
- inc risk if sibling/twin has ASD
what inherited conditions is there an inc risk of ASD in (3)
fragile X
Rett syndrome
tuberosclerosis complex
what is an example of chromosomal abnormalities that may be seen as a genetic factor to ASD
dup15q syndrome
what evidence is there of family/twins as predisposing genetic factor
if older sib w ASD, 20% will be dx w ASD also
inc risk of ASD in identical twins (greater than fraternal)
what is the incidence of genetic causation noted in ASD
majority of cases will have no identifiable genetic cause
what 3 structures were different when seen in an ASD brain when autopsied
limbic system
cerebellum
cerebral cortex (inconsistent findings)
how is a clinical dx made
thru clinical observation and behaviors
what differences are seen in the limbic system in ASD
smaller and more dense amygdala and hippocampus vs neurotypical brains
what differences are seen in cerebellum in ASD
dec size and dec # of Perkinje cells in some patients
what differences were seen in the cerebral cortex in ASD (while findings were inconsistent)
disorganized
subtle cortical dysgenesis
- inferior frontal gyrus pars opicularis (part of Broca’s area)
- prefrontal and temporal cortex
- inc microglia infiltration and activation
what did a fMRI show in an ASD brain
alternate pathways of motor cortex activation, excitatory/inhibitory neurotransmission
where are mirror neurons located and what is their role in a neurotypical brain? what role can MNs play when combined w limbic system?
located in pars opicularis
active when performing goal-directed actions and when observing others doing same action
- perhaps neural mechanism for automatically understanding others’ intentions and actions
MNs + limbic system = mediate empathy and social connection
what is the theoretical causation of autism based off the anatomical differences in the brain
in ASD level of activation of MNs is different than in TD
altered MNs + limbic system can also explain why ASD kids seem to lack empathy and social engagement
where is the pars opicularis and what is it supplied by
frontal lobe
- near broca’s area
MCA
how do social skills present in ASD (6)
- impaired social reciprocity
- poor shared attention
- avoidance of eye contact (not always)
- seem indifferent/aloof, preference to be alone
- attached to parents (not show in typical ways)
- limited empathy
how does limited empathy present in social skills (2)
- affects ability to predict/understand other’s actions
- unable to read social cues
how can poor shared attention manifest in ASD
difficulty w give and take interactions
what is a classic early sign of ASD social skills
avoidance of eye contact
why don’t ASD babies/children show attachment to parents in typical ways
lack of social reciprocity
what are 5 communication presentations of ASD
- varied deficits
- may present w unusual use of language
- impaired conversation
- missed cues, body language, tone, ability to understand idioms
- inc awareness of difficulties w age -> anxiety/depression
how does communication present in varied deficits
non verbal, non vocal, to fully verabal
may coo, babble early and then stop
delayed development
echolalia
just words, not meaning
what does it mean that ASD could present w unusual use of language
unable to combine into meaningful sentences
echolalia
how can conversation be impaired in ASD
unable to initiate or sustain
monologue on favorite topics
- fixation you can’t break
- directs conversation
- not in age appropriate way
what are 3 ways behavior can present in ASD
- odd repetitive motions (“stereotypies”)
- persistent, intense preoccupation
- desire absolute routine
how can stereotypies present
range
- from finger flapping to self injurious behaviors
ex: tapping fingers, clapping, flapping
how can persistent, intense preoccupation behavior present in ASD
line up objects but not to “play with”
- numbers, science, trains, vacuums
how can excitement play into behavior presentations
as get more excited -> pitch of vocalization goes up, inc speed of stereotypies
what is the significance of ASD desiring an absolute routine
need routine to predict
surprise = panic/anxiety
helpful to start w routine when first working w ASD, but w effective intervention, improvements are possible
what are the 3 broad areas of motor dysfunction
postural control
visual-motor
bilateral coordination
what is the relationship of motor impairment to ASD
not a co-existing separate dx
- part of ASD picture
what are postural control deficits seen in ASD
reactive
anticipatory
how is ambulation present in ASD
often delayed onset
how are gross motor and fine motor skills impact
early delays
what are gait patterns seen in ASD (4)
(varied):
toe walking
ataxic like
shuffling
normal
is toe walking addressed and how
might resolve on its own
usually needs intervention
- behavior (normalize heel touching ground)
- passive stretching
- strengthening
what are gait differences NOT caused by
anatomical changes - dec ROM or hypertonia
may develop reduced ms length and weakness secondarily
DCD and ASD in their presentation
DCD = motor issues alone
ASD = include similar impairments/limitations
what are 6 specific motor impairments present w ASD
- postural control deficits
- gross motor/fine motor coordination and development
- ambulation onset
- gait patterns varied
- imitation and praxis
- dec endurance and physical activity levels
how does impaired fine and gross motor coordination present in ASD
UE/LE
(B)
visuomotor
what is praxis
motor planning - figuring out what to do and how to do it
- including fine motor ADLs
when can imitation and praxis impairments be identified
as early as 2yo