Autism

Question 1

A group of disorders in which the development of the CNS is impaired and whose symptoms appear during the early developmental period (before six years of age)

Answer 1

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Question 2

The DSM-4 Defined four separate disorders, what were they?

Answer 2

Autistic Disorder (autism)
Asperger's Disorder (high functioning autism)
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (regressive autism)
Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified (atypical autism)

Question 3

The DSM-5 combined the separate orders into a single disorder called _________, as it is a single condition with a varying severity of symptoms.

Answer 3

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Question 4

The DSM-5 characterizes ASD by:

Answer 4

Deficits in social communication and social interaction

Restricted repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities

Question 5

When do symptoms of ASD generally appear?

Answer 5

Ages 1-2

Question 6

Individuals with autism experience difficulties in forming relationships owing in large part to limited social interactions as a result of impaired:

Answer 6

Verbal communication
Social communication
Social cognition/imagination

Question 7

What are some of the verbal communication impairments faced by ASD individuals?

Answer 7

Some will never develop ability to speak - 1/3
Uneven language development
Unable to hold 2 way conversation despite rich vocabulary

Question 8

What are some commonly observed speech patterns of verbal ASD individuals?

Answer 8

Repetitive or rigid language - saying things with no
meaning or context

Echolalia - repeating words/phrases over and over

Use of odd tone of voice

A very literal understanding/interpretation of language

Question 9

What are some non-verbal communication impairments? (Social)

Answer 9

Unable to engage in/maintain eye contact

Difficulty interpreting or using body language

Display few facial expressions and have difficulty interpreting those of others

Question 10

How you think about yourself and others in the social world around you

Answer 10

Social Cognition

Question 11

Individuals have impaired social cognition in regards to what areas?

Answer 11

Emotional Competence

Theory of mind

Question 12

Our ability to express emotion and perceive the emotions of others

Answer 12

Emotional competence

Question 13

What are some difficulties in emotional competence faced by individuals with ASD?

Answer 13

Emotional Expression - show very little emotion, appear aloof

Emotional Regulation - emotions are expressed intensely with little build up

Emotional Understanding - unable to perceive emotions of others

Question 14

The ability to attribute mental states to others and to realize that other individuals have their own distinct mental state entirely separate from one’s own

Answer 14

Theory of Mind

Question 15

What are some restricted repetitive behaviors exhibited by those with ASD?

Answer 15

Repetitive stereotyped motor movements

Resistant to changes

Ritualistic behaviors

Question 16

Prevalence of ASD

Answer 16

1 in 68 children

Males 4x more likely to be diagnosed

Question 17

Swapping of diagnoses

Answer 17

Diagnostic Accretion

Question 18

Children with ASD typically have _____ ____due to an atypical burst of growth at around 6 months of age.

Answer 18

Larger Brain

Question 19

The Corpus Callosum, which connects the cerebellar hemispheres, tends to be smaller in those with ASD, what is a result of this limited connectivity?

Answer 19

Inability to integrate complex ideas

Question 20

The Caudate, which is associated with motor processes, tends to be increased in volume and activity in those with ASD, what symptom is this associated with?

Answer 20

Repetitive and ritualistic behaviors

Question 21

The Amygdala, which generates fear, tends to have increased volume in those with ASD, what symptom is this associated with?

Answer 21

Social withdrawal

Question 22

The frontal and temporal lobe appear to have increased volume in those with ASD but display decreased activity, what symptoms are associated with this?

Answer 22

inability to perceive social interactions or interpret facial expressions
Lack of theory of mind

Question 23

What appears to be primary origin of Autism

Answer 23

Genetics

Question 24

What theory suggests that ASD is due to prenatal neglect?

Answer 24

Refrigerator Mother Theory