Autism

Question 1

What is Autism spectrum disorder ?

Answer 1

Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by difficulty with social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns
of behaviour, interest, or activities.

Question 2

U.S.PSTF screening of autism spectrum disorder?

Answer 2

18- and 24 month well-child visits

Question 3

How to screen autism spectrum disorder?

Answer 3

By the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) is the most widely used screening tool. However, when
used alone, it has poor positive predictive value and a high false-positive rate. So, it should be Revised, with Follow-
Up (M-CHAT-R/F). The M-CHAT-R/F is a two-stage parent-reported screening tool to assess the risk of ASD

Question 4

What the possible aetiologies of autism spectrum disorder?

Answer 4

o nearly 50% genetic liability
o advanced paternal or maternal age
o maternal metabolic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity
o In utero risks include valproate (Depacon) exposure
o maternal infections
o low birth weight and preterm delivery

Question 5

DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Answer 5

To be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, an individual must meet the following criteria:

1. Persistent Deficits in Social Communication and Social Interaction** across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following:
   
   • Challenges in nonverbal communication (e.g., eye contact, body language).
   • Difficulties in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships.
   • Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity (e.g., sharing emotions, responding to social cues).
2. Restricted, Repetitive Patterns of Behavior, Interests, or Activities, as evidenced by at least two of the following:
   
   • Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech.
   • Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of behavior.
   • Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus.
   • Hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input (e.g., indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures).
3. Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (though they may not become fully apparent until social demands exceed capacities).
4. Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
5. Disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental delay.

Severity Levels are determined based on the degree of:
- Social communication impairments.
- Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior.

Question 6

What are the conditions that Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Answer 6

o Psychiatric conditions: anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression.
o Motor impairments: hypotonia, apraxia, clumsiness, toe walking, and gross motor delays.
o Insomnia.
o Intellectual disability.
o Epilepsy.
o Gastrointestinal problems: Chronic constipation, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.