Autism Flashcards
Learn the general knowledge of Autism.
What is Autism characterized by?
Social impairment, communication impairment and repetitive behavior.
- Pervasive developmental disorder of early childhood.
What are the incidence rates?
1 in 88 (from 1 in 10,000 a few decades ago)
What gender is more common?
More common in males than females.
- 4 to 1
- 7-8 for 1 with higher functioning.
What are the pervasive developmental disorders?
- Autistic Disorders
- Asperger’s Disorders
- Rett syndrome (genetic disorder in females)
- Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
Other incidence rates tied to Autism.
~ 70% have intellectual disability. ~ 70% would have a co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis. - 40% anxiety disorder - 30% ADHD - 20-30% seizure disorder
What’s the extreme male brain theory?
- Females have more empathetic brain type.
- Males have more systematic brain type.
- In Autism: S»_space; E
What are the communication symptoms of Autism?
Communication: Late/no speech development, Echolalia (repeating what people say), Disconnected facial expression/body-movement.
Explain the social interaction symptoms of Autism.
- Aloof
- More content with their own activities.
- Inappropriate communication
- Difficulty making eye contact
- Lack of social and emotional reciprocity
- Physically attacks or injures others for no reason.
What are the repetitive behavior symptoms of Autism?
- Hand twitching
- Arm flapping
- Difficulty with imitation
- Rocking back and forth
- Obsessive behaviors/thoughts, objects
What percentage of kids show savant skills?
30%
What does an abnormal cerebellum lead to?
Problems with coordination. Cerebellum helps provide smooth, coordinated body movement.
What does altered connectivity lead to?
Altered synapses = root of altered connectivity in the autistic brain.
- Ratio of excitation to inhibition is different due to synaptic binding proteins called neuroligins and neurexins.
- Hyperactivity instead of lack of activity
- Difference in white matter pathways (sets stage for altered development)
What happens with cholinergic differences?
Acetylcholine abnormalities in basal forebrain.
- 30% lower muscarinic binding
- 60-70% lower levels nicotinic receptors in frontal and parietal lobes
Explain mirror neurons.
Firing when acting and when watching action done by another. Helps with understanding intent, autistic children don’t have this.
- Altered connection between visual cortex and amygdala distorts child’s response.
What is a salience landscape?
How emotional significance could be altered in autism.
