Autism Spectrum Disorder

Question 1

Criteria for ASD?

Answer 1

1) persistent deficits in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts (e.g., reciprocity, nonverbal communication, development/understanding of relationships)
2) restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities by at least TWO of the following: repetitive/stereotyped motor movements, use of objects, or speech; insistence on sameness, inflexible to routines, or ritualized patterns of behaviors; highly restricted, fixated interests.
3) symptoms during the early developmental period and impairments in social, occupational, or other area of fx

Question 2

Associated Features of ASD

Answer 2

intellectual impairments, language abnormalities, motor deficits, engage in self-injurious behaviors. Earliest signs are abnormalities in social orientating and responsivity that are apparent by about 12 months of age (decreased social gaze, poor eye contact, impaired joint attention).

Question 3

ASD Prognosis

Answer 3

Generally poor. 1/3 of individuals receive some degree of partial independence as adults. Best outcome = ability to communicate verbally by age 5 or 7, and IQ 70 or over.

Question 4

ASD Etiology?

Answer 4

linked to unusual rapid head growth during first year of life, structural brain abnormalities, serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitter abnormalities. General genetic = higher among bio siblings.

Question 5

ASD Differential Dx?

Answer 5

Rett Syndrome, Selective Mutism, Language Disorder, ID, Stereotypic Movement Disorder, ADHD, schizophrenia