Autism Spectrum D/o Flashcards
What are some examples of types of ASD?
Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs) High-Functioning Autism (HFA) Pervasive Developmental d/o, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) Asperger Syndrome (AS) DSM-5: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
What is the cause of ASD?
Exact cause of ASD is still unknown (there is a genetic risk)
___% of individuals w/ ASD have average/above intellectual ability
44%
Compared to the general population, individuals w/ ASD tend to have higher rates of other conditions; for example: (x7)
Sleep disturbance, Intellectual disability, Depression/Anxiety,
GI d/o, Sz d/o, ADHD, Psychosis
What are some examples of presentation of ASD in toddlers?
Less responsiveness to people or name, atypical eye contact
Delayed speech/language, loss of acquired words
Echolalia (echoing others’ speech)/stereotyped speech
Joint attention deficits
limited interest in social games, limited shared enjoyment, may not want parents to do things together (read books)
What are some examples of presentation of ASD in children?
Unusual rhythm, intonation of speech
Poor or limited imitation of others
Limited facial expressions, limited social insight
Inappropriate social overtures
Preference for playing alone, limited interest in other same-age children
Lack of / difficulty w/ pretend play
T/F: Pts with ASD exhibit restricted/repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities
T
Is ASD more common in males or females?
males
Why has the prevalence of ASD increased in recent years?
Dx criteria changes
Increased awareness among clinicians, educators, parents
Improved identification (better assessment tools) –> Dx substitution: ↑autism ↓intellectual disability
Autism included under federal legislation –> Targeted services motivates dx
ASD is characterized by persistent deficits in social _____ and ____ and _____ across multiple contexts to include deficits in 3 areas: _____, ____, and _____. (examples of each)
social communication fxning and interactions across multiple contexts to include deficits in 3 areas:
- Social-emotional reciprocity (social approach/response, reciprocal conversation, sharing of affect)
- Nonverbal communicative behaviors (integration of eye contact, gestures, facial expressions, understanding nonverbal cues)
- Relationship functioning (ability to make/maintain friendships, adjust behavior to context)
In addition to the persistent deficits in social aspects of pts with ASD, they must also have restricted or repetitive patterns of ____, ____, or ____ to include at least 2 behavioral sx, such as what four things? (provide examples)
behaviors, interests, or activities to include
Behavioral sx:
- Repetitive motor movements, actions, or speech patterns (repetitive play, echolalia, stereotypies)
- Inflexible behavior/insistence on sameness (rigid adherence to routines, difficulty w/ transitions, difficulty adapting to changes)
- Restricted, unusual, or preoccupying interests (fixated interest unusual in intensity or focus)
- Unusual sensory interests or responses (interest or sensitivity to certain sounds or textures)
Specific screening for potential ASD sx should be conducted at what pediatric office well child visits?
18-mo and 24 (or 30-mo) well-child visits
What are 4 risk factors for surveillance of ASD?
Sibling with ASD
Parental concern–> inconsistent hearing, unusual responsiveness
Other caregiver concern
Pediatrician concern
If 2+ risk factors for ASD are present, what should a provider do?
refer EI, ASD eval, audiology simultaneously
If 1 risk factor for ASD is present and the child is at least 18 months old, what should a provider do?
use screening tool –> The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R/F) is preferred screening tool in NC (free)
Can screening tools be used to dx a pt with ASD?
No
ASD can be reliably dx’d as young as _____
18 months
If a pt has a borderline screen for ASD, what should be done?
Discuss monitoring w/ parent; timely f/u before next routine visit
If a pt has a positive screen for ASD, what should be done?
Refer for a comprehensive evaluation to assess cognitive levels, speech-language skills, and possible ASD
In order to dx a pt w/ ASD, evidence of sx must be present early on in development, but may not become fully apparent until ________ increase
social demands
In order to dx a pt with ASD, disturbances are not better explained by _____ or _____.
Although ASD and the aforementioned d/o frequently co-occur, social communication fxning must be below expectations for an individual’s general developmental level to provide a dx of ASD if a person has the above d/o.
GDD or ID
There should be ____ hrs/wk of structured intervention for children w/ ASD. This includes time in structured educational settings, therapies, skill practice at home.
25
There are improved outcomes for ASD pts who began intervention at what age? Amount of intervention is associated with more optimal outcomes, even to the point of what?
young ages
no longer meeting dx criteria
What are some examples of interventions for pts w/ ASD? (x8)
Applied behavior analytic intervention/therapy Structured TEACHHing Social skills training Counseling/psych sx Medication management Parent training Adaptive skill building Supported employment programming
ASS CoMPAS
What could be included in long term planning for pts with ASD?
Guardianship, education/Vocation/living planning, family care plan. Resource: Family Handbook on Future Planning
What ASD-specific medications are available for the the tx of ASD?
None, there are no specific medications to tx ASD, tx the sx:
Comorbid ADHD: psychostimulants
Comorbid anxiety/depression: SSRI
Comorbid aggression/irritability: atypical antipsychotics
