Autism Flashcards
Who is recognized as the first to identify autism?
Kanner in 1943
By what characteristics did Kanner describe autism?
–Lack of social engagement even as infant
–Lack of communicative language
–Obsessive need for sameness
–Difficulties with transitions
–Recognized spectrum
When was Asperger recognized?
in 1944, by Asperger
noticed have good verbal skills, strong interest in isolated areas, lack social skills
History of autism: 1940s to 2000s
- 1944- Asperger- similar conditions but different language issues
- 1950-60s- “Refrigerator mothers”
- 1960s- biological disorder
- 1970s- genetic link
- 1980s- diagnostic criteria
- 1990s- IDEA legislation
- 2000s-increase in prevalence figures
Why is autism described as an epidemic in the U.S.?
- **CDC – 289% increase since 2002!
- 1/68 in US, some say higher
- Spectrum of behavioral disorders
- *** Decrease using DSM-5 ?
Autism: boys vs girls, demographic distribution?
- Boys>girls
- No difference
–SES
–Racial
–Ethnic groups
Why have we seen an increase in autism in recent years?
- More awareness
- Better screening tools
- Better evaluation tools
- Educational options
- Other…???
DSM IV vs V Criteria, generally
Terminology used for autism in DSM IV vs V?
What is social communication disorder?
–Difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communication
–Functional limitations
•Communication, social participation and relationships, academic achievement or occupational performance
–Onset early in development, deficits not obvious until later when social demands greater
related diagnosis to autism
How does social communication DO differ from autism?
only affects communication
Characteristics of Asperger
- Same criteria for social deficits and restricted behavior
- Normal speech development
–Abnormal pronoun use, language content, social use
- Late walking, clumsy
- Rote memory
- Intense interest in selected topics
- Eccentric behavior
No longer a DSM diagnosis (now autism spectrum) but individuals may retain the label
What is the etiology of autism?
- Unclear !!
- Heterogeneous disorder
- Multifactorial
–Infectious
–Parental age
–Environmental
• Insult early in embryogenesis –> neurobiological differences
Is autism a single gene disorder?
No! “Autisms” - there are many gene variants associated w/ASD and multiple phenotypes
–Core genetic components
•Fragile X, Rett, tuberous sclerosis –single gene effects
Recurrence rate for autism?
•4-8% recurrence rate; may be 10-20%
very common question for parents to have!
Neurobiological differences associated w/autism
–Macrocephaly: 16%; microcephaly: 15%
–some have macrocephaly early, then small heads for age later
–Abnormalities of limbic and cerebellum systems
•Emotion, motivation, memory and learning
–Differences in brain chemicals/function
What are the core deficits associated with autism?
–Impairment
- social interaction
- communication
–Restricted repetitive stereotyped behaviors
When does autism typically present?
Before 36 months
How does autism typically present?
first year, second year, later onset…
•Relationship issues
– first year of life
•Language issues
–second year
•Restricted behavior
–later onset
•Loss of milestones******
What is the CDC/AAP ALARM campaign?
to increase awareness and promote early screening / identification
CDC: “Learn the Signs - Act Early campaign”
–Autism is prevalent
–Listen to parents
–Act early
–Refer
–Monitor
Rationale for early identification
–Genetic counseling
–Benefits of early intervention services
What does the pcp need to consider in early identification of autism?
–Listen to parents
–Consider atypical behaviors not just physical findings
–Surveillance
–Screening
–History
–Physical: not typically dysmorphic
–Additional medical evaluation
Red flags for autism: language
- No babbling by 12 mos
- No pointing or other gestures by 12 mo.
- No single words by 16 mos
- No spontaneous two word utterances by 24 mos
- Loss of any language skills at any age
red flags for any neuro issue
What are some common myths about people with autism?
- Never affectionate
- Never communicative
- Never make attachments
- Never make eye contact
- Always engage in self-stimulatory, repetitive behaviors
- All children with these behaviors have autism
What are some early social signs of autism?
- Limited or no smiling (normal smiling 6-8 weeks)
- Not cuddly
- Limited eye contact
- No response to name by 12 mos
- Tuning out of people but very aware of environmental noise
- **Lack of joint attention found in most ASD children
Early communication signs associated with autism
- Limited language
- Language not used to engage others
- Pop-up words: appear advanced for child’s typical skills, out of context maybe never heard again
- Echolalia
- Uneven pattern of speech development
–Colors, etc. but not used to meet basic needs.
Behavioral signs associated with autism
- Fewer gestures
- Attached to hard objects
- Repetitive actions
- Lack of pretend or imaginative play
- Blunt affect
- Sensitivity to sound - hyperacousis
difficulty transitioning