Autism Spectrum Disorder

Question 1

T/F cause of autism is linked to both genetic and non-genetic factors

Answer 1

true

Question 2

higher rates of epilepsy in autistic patients indicates?

Answer 2

a wide amount of neural systems must be affected

Question 3

what features of autism are caused by deficits in the limbic system?

Answer 3

processing auditory/sensory/proprioceptive signals

Question 4

what NT is likely overexpressed in autism that we can use medication to block?

Answer 4

dopamine

Question 5

what NT shows elevated peripheral levels in autistic patients?

Answer 5

serotonin

Question 6

list the difficulties in autism for criteria A

Answer 6

1. social-emotional reciprocity
2. verbal and non-verbal communication behaviors
3. maintaining and understanding relationships

Question 7

list the difficulties in autism for criteria B

Answer 7

1. hyper or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects
2. repetitive movement
3. inflexible routines, sameness
4. fixated interests at abnormal intensity

Question 8

list criteria C to be diagnosed with autism

Answer 8

traits are present in early developmental period

Question 9

list criteria D to be diagnosed with autism

Answer 9

traits cause significant impairment in social and occupational areas

Question 10

list criteria E to be diagnosed with autism

Answer 10

disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability

Question 11

** patients with autism are more likely to have another psychiatric/medical condition

Answer 11

.

Question 12

what are the two most commonly seen co-morbid conditions in autism? what is potentially the third most common but difficult to diagnose and why?

Answer 12

ADHD and anxiety
depression, may have severe anxiety leading to depression

Question 13

what are 4 common medical co-morbid conditions in autism?

Answer 13

GI problems
epilepsy
feeding issues
disrupted sleep

Question 14

what drug should we avoid giving to a person with autism who is epileptic? why?

Answer 14

bupropion, lowers seizure threshold

Question 15

what severity level would a patient be who has autism and shows deficits in social communication causing noticeable impairments with minor verbal communication?
a. Level 1: Requiring support
b. Level 2: Requiring substantial support
c. Level 3: Requiring very substantial support

Answer 15

a

Question 16

what severity level would a patient be who has autism and has deficits in both verbal and nonverbal communication and has difficulty coping with change?
a. Level 1: Requiring support
b. Level 2: Requiring substantial support
c. Level 3: Requiring very substantial support

Answer 16

b

Question 17

what severity level would a patient be who has autism and has severe deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication skills who has extreme difficulty coping with change?
a. Level 1: Requiring support
b. Level 2: Requiring substantial support
c. Level 3: Requiring very substantial support

Answer 17

c

Question 18

patients with under responsive proprioception will seek?

Answer 18

behaviors with high proprioceptive stimulus and risky behaviors

Question 19

patients who are over sensitive with proprioception will seek?

Answer 19

avoidance of proprioceptive stimulus and socialization

Question 20

since patients with autism tend to have increased GI disorders, what drug class is it good to avoid?

Answer 20

anti-cholinergics

Question 21

**since communication is often impaired in patients with autism, they may show unusual reactions to GI disorders, we should be alert of atypical signs of common GI disorders

Answer 21

.

Question 22

what are behaviors that may signal GI discomfort?

Answer 22

tapping or pounding chest
pressing on abdomen
aggression/irritability
straining, crying when defecating
sleep disturbance

Question 23

what are two meds we can try to determine if unusual behaviors are associated with a GI disorder?

Answer 23

miralax and PPIs

Question 24

T/F children with autism tend to under eat due to being picky about food texture

Answer 24

false, they typically present with chronic overeating