Autism Flashcards
What is ASD?
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a diverse group of conditions. They are characterized by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication.
What are the characteristics of ASD?
Atypical patterns of activities and behaviours, such as difficulty with transition from one activity to another, a focus on details and unusual reactions to sensations.
How is ASD diagnosed?
No biological test, in SA to get a formal diagnosis, requires assessment by two accredited clinicians, which can be a psychologist, speech pathologist, psychiatrist or a paediatrician. Assessments can be conducted by a team of two clinicians in one setting or by two individual clinicians across different settings.
What is the DSM-V diagnostic criteria for ASD?
A) Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following, currently or by history.
B) Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history
C. Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities or may be masked by learned strategies in later life).
D. Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning.
E. These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder) or global developmental delay. Intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder frequently co-occur; to make comorbid diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, social communication should be below that expected for general developmental level.
What are the characteristics/signs of ASD – in a social lens
- Social communication and interaction skills can be challenging for people with ASD.
- Examples of social communication and social interaction characteristics related to ASD can include
- Avoids or does not keep eye contact
- Does not respond to name by 9 months of age
- Does not show facial expressions such as happy, sad, angry, and surprised by 9 months of age
- Does not play simple interactive games like pat-a-cake by 12 months of age
- Uses few or no gestures by 12 months of age (for example, does not wave goodbye)
- Does not share interests with others by 15 months of age (for example, shows you an object that they like)
- Does not point to show you something interesting by 18 months of age
- Does not notice when others are hurt or upset by 24 months (2 years) of age
- Does not notice other children and join them in play by 36 months (3 years) of age
- Does not pretend to be something else, like a teacher or superhero, during play by 48 months (4 years) of age
- Does not sing, dance, or act for you by 60 months (5 years) of age
What are the characteristics/signs of ASD in a lens of restrictiuve/repetitive behaviours/interests?
- People with ASD have behaviors or interests that can seem unusual. These behaviors or interests set ASD apart from conditions defined by problems with social communication and interaction only.
- Examples of restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests related to ASD can include
- Lines up toys or other objects and gets upset when order is changed
- Repeats words or phrases over and over (called echolalia)
- Plays with toys the same way every time
- Is focused on parts of objects (for example, wheels)
- Gets upset by minor changes
- Has obsessive interests
- Must follow certain routines
- Flaps hands, rocks body, or spins self in circles
- Has unusual reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel
What are the other characteristics of ASD?
- Delayed language skills
- Delayed movement skills
- Delayed cognitive or learning skills
- Hyperactive, impulsive, and/or inattentive behaviour
- Epilepsy or seizure disorder
- Unusual eating and sleeping habits
- Gastrointestinal issues (for example, constipation)
- Unusual mood or emotional reactions
- Anxiety, stress, or excessive worry
- Lack of fear or more fear than expected
What are the risk factors of ASD?
- There is not just one cause of ASD. Many different factors have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biologic, and genetic factors.
- Although we know little about specific causes, the available evidence suggests that the following may put children at greater risk for developing ASD:
- Having a sibling with ASD
- Having certain genetic or chromosomal conditions, such as fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis
- Experiencing complications at birth
- Being born to older parents
Impact on the person and their OP for ASD
- Difficulty learning communication skills.
Role of other health professionals
- Multi-D team
- Psychologist
- Speech pathologist
- Occupational therapist
When is ASD usually diagnosed?
Approx. 2 years
What are the guidelines for working with children with ASD?
Tomcheck guidelines 2016
- Predictability and routine
- Functional approach to behaviour
- Transition support
- Visual supports
- Intensity
- Multi-D collaborative approach
- Focus on independence
- Address rituals and obsessions
What are the 3 functional levels of autism?
ASD level 1 – requiring support
ASD level 2 – requiring substantial support
ASD level 3 – requiring very substantial support
What does ASD level 1 functional level look like?
‘requiring support’
- Difficulty initiating social interactions
- Organisation and planning problems can hamper independence
What does ASD level 2 functional level look like?
‘requiring substantial support’
- Social interactions limited to narrow special interests
- Frequent restricted/repetitive behaviour
