Autism Flashcards
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)
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
The DSM-4 Defined four separate disorders, what were they?
Autistic Disorder (autism) Asperger's Disorder (high functioning autism) Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (regressive autism) Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified (atypical autism)
The DSM-5 combined the separate orders into a single disorder called _________, as it is a single condition with a varying severity of symptoms.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
The DSM-5 characterizes ASD by:
Deficits in social communication and social interaction
Restricted repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities
When do symptoms of ASD generally appear?
Ages 1-2
Individuals with autism experience difficulties in forming relationships owing in large part to limited social interactions as a result of impaired:
Verbal communication
Social communication
Social cognition/imagination
What are some of the verbal communication impairments faced by ASD individuals?
Some will never develop ability to speak - 1/3
Uneven language development
Unable to hold 2 way conversation despite rich vocabulary
What are some commonly observed speech patterns of verbal ASD individuals?
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
What are some non-verbal communication impairments? (Social)
Unable to engage in/maintain eye contact
Difficulty interpreting or using body language
Display few facial expressions and have difficulty interpreting those of others
How you think about yourself and others in the social world around you
Social Cognition
Individuals have impaired social cognition in regards to what areas?
Emotional Competence
Theory of mind
Our ability to express emotion and perceive the emotions of others
Emotional competence
What are some difficulties in emotional competence faced by individuals with ASD?
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
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
Theory of Mind
What are some restricted repetitive behaviors exhibited by those with ASD?
Repetitive stereotyped motor movements
Resistant to changes
Ritualistic behaviors
Prevalence of ASD
1 in 68 children
Males 4x more likely to be diagnosed
Swapping of diagnoses
Diagnostic Accretion
Children with ASD typically have _____ ____due to an atypical burst of growth at around 6 months of age.
Larger Brain
The Corpus Callosum, which connects the cerebellar hemispheres, tends to be smaller in those with ASD, what is a result of this limited connectivity?
Inability to integrate complex ideas
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?
Repetitive and ritualistic behaviors
The Amygdala, which generates fear, tends to have increased volume in those with ASD, what symptom is this associated with?
Social withdrawal
The frontal and temporal lobe appear to have increased volume in those with ASD but display decreased activity, what symptoms are associated with this?
inability to perceive social interactions or interpret facial expressions
Lack of theory of mind
What appears to be primary origin of Autism
Genetics
What theory suggests that ASD is due to prenatal neglect?
Refrigerator Mother Theory
