Autism

Question 1

What is autism?

Answer 1

Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by persistent deficits in the ability to initiate and to sustain reciprocal social interaction and social communication, and by a range of restricted, repetitive and inflexible patterns of behaviour, interests or activities that are clearly atypical or excessive for the individual’s age and sociocultural context

Question 2

Autism more common in males or females?

Answer 2

Males
4M: 1F

-suggested link to sex hormones
-some have suggested the difference is due to misdiagnosis of girls

Question 3

what conditions increase risk of autism??

Answer 3

-rubella in the pregnant mother
-tuberous sclerosis
-fragile X syndrome
-encephalitis
-untreated PKU

Question 4

diagnostic criteria in autism?

Answer 4

-Social communication and interaction deficits
-Restricted and repetitive deficits
-Sensory abnormalities

and must present in early developmental period