Austistic Spectrum Disorder

Question 1

What is the autistic triad?

Answer 1

social interaction impairment
impaired communication
restricted interests

Question 2

Who is more prone to ASD - boys or girls?

Answer 2

boys x5

Question 3

What is the prevelence of ASD?

Answer 3

1-2%

Question 4

What causes ASD?

Answer 4

mixture of genes, environment and biology
rubella in pregnant mother
tuberous sclerosis
fragile X syndrome
encephalitis
untreated phenylketonuria

Question 5

What birth complications can lead to ASD?

Answer 5

foetal distress
umbilical cord complications
maternal haemorrhage
meoconium aspiration
neonatal anaemia 
hyperbilirubinaemia

Question 6

What is the heritbility of ASD?

Answer 6

35-90%

Question 7

What is the neurochemitry of Autism?

Answer 7

amygdala in boys appears 13-16% larger - associated with anxiety and worse communication skills
GABA, serotonin and glutamate receptors all seem impacted

Question 8

What screening tools are used for ASD?

Answer 8

3di

DISCO

Question 9

What is the essential criteria for a diagnosis of ASD?

Answer 9

symptoms must present in the early developemental period
symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of current functioning
disturbances are not better explained by other mental health problems, intellectual disability or global developmental delay

Question 10

What comorbidites present with ASD?

Answer 10

40-60% have depression
20% have an eating disorder
70% have a non verbal IQ <70
35% have a non verbal IQ <50

Question 11

What treatment is given for ASD?

Answer 11

social skills training
language therapy
behaviour analysis
food and diet advice
school and family support
respiradone for management of aggression