Autism

Question 1

What is autism

Answer 1

Developmental disorder
Impaired communication and socialisation
Lack of social imagination
Hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to sensory stimuli, repetitive and restrictive patterns or behaviour

UK: around 1.1% may be autistic (increases globally)

It can affect imagination, communication and behaviour

Males 4x more likely than females

Question 2

Features of autism

Answer 2

Usually signs can be recognized in early age (within first 3 years of life)

It is characterized by:
1. Impaired communication (verbal and non verbal)
2. Impaired socialisation (difficulties recognizing other emotions or their own)
3. Lack of social imagination (inability to read clues to what can happen in a given situation)
4. Hyper or hyposensitivity to normal stimuli (can be sound, touch, smell, taste, pain, light…)
5. Repetitive and restricted pattern of behavior

Intellectual functioning is highly variable

Question 3

Aetiology of autism

Answer 3

Unknown
Can be the result of complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors

Question 4

Diagnosis and treatment of autism

Answer 4

Diagnosis relies on multidisciplinary diagnostic assessment
Including family history, social history, physical examination, assessment in communication, behaviour, cognitive function, mental health….

Question 5

Co morbidities linked to autism

Answer 5

High percentage have ADHD, OCD
50% will have a learning disability
Some can have epilepsy, dyslexia, dyspraxia, insomnia

Question 6

What is makaton

Answer 6

It is a language programme which uses signs and symbols to aid with communication