Autism

Question 1

Core impairments of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Answer 1

SOCIAL CHALLENGES - difficulties taking another’s perspective, social cues, regulating emotions

COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTIES - delays in babbling, speaking, using gestures; echolalia; repeating phrase; prosody

RESTRICTIVE/REPETITIVE BEHAVIORS - restricted interests, consistent daily routine, motor movements, obsessions, Hyper or hypo-reactivity to sensory input

INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

Question 2

Hypothesized reasons for the increase in prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Answer 2

increased public and professional awareness, access to services, broader diagnostic criteria, environmental toxins

Question 3

Tools used to screen for ASD in toddlers

Answer 3

• NICHD List of 5 Warning Behaviors Signaling Evaluation
• AAP Guidelines Risk Factors
• M-CHAT screen (w/ follow-up questions)

Question 4

Onset and duration of ASD

Answer 4

present in early childhood

lifelong disorder

Question 5

Comorbid conditions of ASD

Answer 5

seizures
sleep disorders
GI symptoms
hyperlexia
PICA
hyper or hyperactivity to sensations

Question 6

Epidemiology of ASD

Answer 6

M 4x more than F

affects 3 million in U.S.

Question 7

What are is the NICHD List of 5 Warning Behaviors Signaling Evaluation?

Answer 7

1) Does not babble or coo by 12 months
2) Does not gesture (point, wave, reach) by 12 months
3) Does not say single words by 16 months
4) Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own by 24 months
5) ANY loss of language or social skill at any age

Question 8

When is ASD typically diagnosed?

Answer 8

3-4 yrs old

Question 9

AAP Guidelines Risk Factors for ASD?

Answer 9

• Sibling with autism
• Parent concern
• Report of concern from another caregiver
• Physician concern

Question 10

ASD intervention therapies

Answer 10

Behavioral - range from working on skills in isolation, and massed trials to more “naturalistic” techniques

Developmental - evaluate and treat child based on typical development sequence