Autism Flashcards
Define Autism Spectrum Disorder
Neurodevelopmental condition characterized by qualitative impairment in social interaction, communication and imagination with repetitive stereotyped behaviour, interests and activities.
What are the risk factors for Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Genetic and environmental factors including:
* Chromosomal anomalies
* Mild family history
* Advanced parental age (mother >40 years, father >50 years)
* Toxins and prenatal infections.
What is the pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Poorly understood combination of genetic, perinatal, and environmental factors may cause abnormal hippocampal/amygdala function and altered cytokines affecting neuronal cell proliferation and neuron death.
What is the range of signs and symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Range from mild social function to severe disability.
Individuals may have varied intellectual and learning abilities.
What are the key features of Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Key features include:
* Impaired social function
* Impaired communication
* Repetitive behaviours
What classifications exist within Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Classifications include:
* Autism
* Asperger’s syndrome
* Pervasive developmental disorder.
Asperger’s syndrome is characterized by normal intelligence but difficulty in reading emotions and responding to others.
What investigations are used for Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Investigations are conducted by CAMHS or local MDT autism team using questionnaires such as:
* AQ-10 – for older children and adults
* M-CHAT-R – toddlers and younger children
* ASSQ – children 6 to 17 years.
These tools help in assessing the presence and severity of symptoms.
What are the levels of support required in Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Levels of support required include:
* Level 1 = requiring support
* Level 2 = requiring substantial support
* Level 3 = requiring very substantial support.
What early interventions are recommended for Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Early interventions include:
* Applied Behaviour Analysis
* TEACCH
* Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention
* Communication support through SALT and picture-exchange communication system
* Social skill training
* Occupational therapy for sensory integration.
These interventions are aimed at improving communication, social skills, and reducing challenging behaviours.
What are some common co-morbidities for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Common associated genetic diagnoses include:
* Tuberculosis sclerosis complex
* Fragile X syndrome
* Angelman Syndrome
* Rett syndrome
* Down syndrome
* Chromosome 15q11-13 duplication.
- ADHD
- Epilepsy
What are the signs of impaired social skills in autism?
play alone/uniterested in other children, socially isolated,
fail to form relationships
avoids physical contact
lack of eye contact
Lack of understanding of social norms
Difficult to understand other peopls intentions and feelings
Difficult to initiate/respond to social interaction.
What are some signs of communication difficulties in autism?
delayed or regressed language development, poor non-verbal communication (eye contact and body language, gestures, facial expression)
repetitive words or phrases
difficulty with imaginative behaviour
Difficulty with back and forth conversation
What are some signs of behavioural needs of autism?
Repetitive motor activity - may be self southing
Rituals or routines - very distressed when routines are broken
Extremely restricted food preferences - often only eat beige foods.
What behaviours may be identified in play that are characteristic of autism?
Repetitive spinning
Lining up of toys - very distressed if moved or swapped, note lining up has no purpose for paly aka lining up to then race
Hand flapping
Intent on watching spinning wheels
What sensory behaviour might a child with autism engage in?
Sniffing
Putting things in mouth
Licking - aka walls, floors, bus
Attracted to lights
Touching - often other people or animals
Shreiking
Hand flapping/hand stims
Dislike of wet foods
What can be different about the speech of children with autism?
Formal, adult
Unusual/lack of intonation
American accent
Sterotyped phrases
What are some autism red flags for referall?
Does not point to share interest or draw other’s attention (e.g. ‘oh look, there’s an aeroplane!’)
- Does not initiate interaction
- Qualitatively unusual use of eye contact and/or gestures
- Does not show appropriate empathy if others are hurt or upset
- Marked insistence on sameness
- Paucity of spontaneous, creative, imaginative play
- Restricted range of interests
- Compulsive routines or rituals
- Play with no purpose, repetitive play, does not know what toys are for or how to play with them
- Unusual sensitivities e.g. noise
- Unusual sensory behaviours e.g. sniffs, licks or feels things repetitively
-Misreads non-verbal cues
- Concrete or literal interpretation of language
- Failure to develop peer relationships at a developmental-age-appropriate level
- Limited, repetitive or idiosyncratic use of language
- Stereotyped motor mannerisms e.g. hand flapping, complex whole body movements etc
What are the DSM-5 criteria for an autism diagnosis?
Criterion A - persistent deficits in reciprocal social communication and social interaction
Criterian B - restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities
Criterion C - symptoms must be present in early developmental period
Criterian D - clinically significant impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning
Criterion E - not better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental delay.
