Austism

Question 1

Definition/ epidemiology of autism

Answer 1

• children who fail to acqure normal social and communication skills
• 3-6/ 1000 births
• more common in boys
• ?genetic component
• 2-4 years (when social skills rapidly expand)
• +/- autistic features therefore spectrum
• presentation
  
  • _​_major difficulties with ordinary social encounters
  • stilted way of speaking
  • narrow, strange interests- do not share with others
  • clumsy

Question 2

Asperger’s syndrome

Answer 2

• milder end of autism spectrum
• near-normal speech development

Question 3

Management of autism

Answer 3

• lifelong
• parents need great deal of support
• therapies
  
  • applied behaviourhal analysis

Question 4

Features of autistic spetrum disorder

Answer 4

1. Impaired social interaction
   
   • ​​does not seek comfort/ friendships/ share pleasure
   • prefers own company
   • gaze avoidance
   • lack of joint attention
   • socially and emotionally inappropriate behaviour
   • NO EMPATHY
   • lack of appreciation for social clues
2. Speech and language disorder
   
   • ​​delayed development (may be severe)
   • limited use of gestures/ facial expression
   • formal pedantic language, monotonous voice
   • impaired comprehension with over-literal interpretation of speech
   • can have superficially good expressive speech
3. Imposition of routines with ritualistic and repeptitive behaviour​​
   
   • on self and others- violent tempers if disturbed
   • stereotypical movements: hand flapping and tiptoe gait
   • concrete play
   • poverty of imagination in play
   • peculiar interests/ repetitive adherence
   • restriction in behaviour repitoire
4. Co-morbidities
   
   • ​​general learning and attention difficulties (2/3rds)
   • seizures (1/3rd- often adolescent onset)