Autism Flashcards
ASD is a range of complex neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by:
- social impairments
- communication difficulties
- restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior
How common is Autism
between 1/68 to 1/50 children
more common in males
genetic conditions associated w/Autism
- tuberous scoliosis
- fragile x
- prader-willi
- angelman
- down syndrome
- moebius?
Brain abnormalities associated with autism
- underconnectivity
- decreased cortical thickness
- glial inflammation
- decreased purkinje cells
- dysfunction of mirror neurons
ASD:
Marked impairment of communication
- Delay/lack of spoken language
- ability to initiate or sustain conversation impaired
- stereotyped and/or repetitive use of language
- idiosyncratic language
- pitch, intonation, rate, rhythm, stress are abnormal
- comprehension delayed
- lack of varied, spontaneous make believe play
ASD:
Marked Impairment of Social Interaction
- reciprocity and awareness of others impaired
- no interest in establishing friends
- lack of understanding of social conventions
- lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment or interests w/others
ASD:
Markedly Restricted Repertoire of Activities and Interests
- encompassing preoccupation w/1 or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest
- increased adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals
- stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms
- repetitively mimicking actions
- insistence on sameness
- resistance/distress over trivial changes
- highly attached to some inanimate objects
Autism:
Associated Features
- mental retardation
- cog skills uneven
- hyperactivity
- short attention span
- impulsivity
- aggressiveness, self injurious behavior, tantrums
- abnormalities of mood/affect
- abnormalities in eating/sleeping
- oversensitivity to sensory stimuli
In autism, __ are the defining features
social impairments
Autism Motor Impairments: Infants and Toddlers
- delay in acquisition of motor skills w/tendency for assymetry
- delayed reaching/grasping, clapping, pointing, playing w/blocks/puzzles, turning door knobs
- may see unusual postures, rocking, arm flapping
- waddling gait, lack of heel toe and reciprocal arm swing
Autism Motor Impairments: Childhood
- ataxic or parkinsonian gait
- poor upper and lower limb coordination
- poor visuomotor coordination
- poor bilateral coordination
- poor manual dexterity
- poor feedback/feedforward control
- impairments in imitation and praxis
Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD)
difficulties in regulating and organizing the nature and intensity of behaviors in response to specific domains of sensory input
ex: tactile, olfactory, visual, auditory, proprioceptive, vestibular
3 categories of SMD
- Underresponsive
- Overresponsive
- Sensation Seeking
also mixed patterns
Dunn Model of Sensory Processing
Atypical responses to sensory stimulation can be sub-classified based on neurological threshold and corresponding behavioral responses to stimuli
SMD Dunn Model:
Low neurological threshold
more sensitive to stimuli
sensory sensitive or sensory avoiding
SMD Dunn Model:
High neurological threshold
require higher intensity or frequency of input to register sensation
Low registration or sensory seeking
SMD:
_ neurological threshold is more correlated w/deficiencies and incompetence than high levels in high functioning children w/ASD
Low
Sensory Integration Therapy
Program involving meaningful therapeutic activities characterized by enhanced sensation.
especially tactile, vestibular, proprioceptive, active participation, and adaptive interaction
Autism Treatment
- use of visual supports
- activity schedules
- Interventions for hyper/hyposensitivity
- compensatory strategies
- Educate patient and family
Autism Treatment:
use of visual supports
picture cards used to increase on-task behaviors, decrease disruptive off-task behaviors
Autism Treatment:
Activity Schedules
provides order, predictability, alleviates anxiety
Autism Treatment:
Hyposensitivity
- activities rich in tactile input
- activities providing deep pressure to joint and muscle sensory receptors
- vestibular input activities
- Sensory Diets
T/F: Hyposensitivity treatment should be passive and not actively applied
False
should be active and not passively applied. Should be related to function if possible
Autism Treatment:
Hyposensitivity- Sensory Diets
planned and scheduled sensory activities developed by the therapist and carried out by the patient or family
Autism Treatment:
Hypersensitivity
- planned, controlled, specific sensory activities on a regular basis
- tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive regular and consistent
- deep pressure often calming
T/F:
For hypersensitivity, unexpected light touch or quick movement should be avoided
True
Hypersensitivity: Brushing Program
Wilbarger program
Surgical scrub brush firmly and rhythmically applied down arms, legs, and back 5-10 times followed by joint compression
6-10x/day
Hypersensitivity treatment: vibration
may temporarily decrease hypersensitivity by using artificial proprioception
Compensatory Strategies
alter environment to decrease sensory stimulation
