Autism Spectrum Disorder

Question 1

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Answer 1

Complex developmental condition involving challenges with social communication, restricted interest and repetitive behavior

Question 2

Autism is a lifelong disorder with high variability in what?

Answer 2

Individual presentation

Question 3

Etiology

Answer 3

Unknown causes
Suspected genetic and env’t risk factors that are associated with the diagonsis

Question 4

Etiology
- Factors

Answer 4

Unrelated risk factors
Related risk factors
Nutrition

Question 5

Etiology
- Unrelated risk factors

Answer 5

Vaccination
Maternal smoking
Assisted reproductive technologies

Question 6

Etiology
- Related risk factors

Answer 6

Advanced parental age
Birth complications associated with trauma/ischemia and hypoxia
Maternal obesity
Maternal diabetes
C section

Question 7

Etiology
- Nutrition

Answer 7

Deficiency of folic acid, omega 3, and vit D

Question 8

Incidence
CDC estimates that 1 in how many children are diagnosed with autsim?

Answer 8

68

Question 9

Incidence
- Who are more likely to be diagnosed?

Answer 9

Boys > girls

Question 10

Incidence
- Identical Twins

Answer 10

ASD in one child increases the chance of the other having ASD by 36 to 95%

Question 11

Incidence
- Siblings

Answer 11

One child has ASD, then the other child has 31% risk of developing ASD
Siblings of children with ASD have a 25-50% risk of developing other developmental delays

Question 12

Neurological abnormalities in ASD

Answer 12

Brain underconnectivity
Glial inflammation
Altered function of mirror neurons (involved in recognition/limitation of motor tasks)

Question 13

Neurological abnormalities
- Decreased in what

Answer 13

Cortical thickness
White matter connectivity
Neurochemical concentrations in the brain
Number of Purkinje cells in the vermis and cerebellar hemisphers

Question 14

Characteristics of ASD

Answer 14

Symptoms emerging prior to 3 years of age within the domains of social communication development and imaginative play

Question 15

Characteristics of ASD

Answer 15

Qualitative social impairments in non-verbal behaviors
Failure to develop peer relationships
Lack of spontaneous sharing of interests and enjoyment
Lack of emotional or social reciproicity

Question 16

Characteristics
- Qualitative social impairments in non-verbal behavior

Answer 16

Eye gaze
Facial expressions
Body postures
Gestures during social interactions

Question 17

Verbal communication deficits

Answer 17

Delay or lack of spoken language
Impaired ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others
Use of repetitive or idiosyncratic language
Lack of spontaneous, pretend play

Question 18

Restricted repetitive and stereotyped behaviors

Answer 18

One or more stereotyped patterns of interest
Inflexible adherence to routines and rituals
Stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms
Persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

Question 19

Social communication deficits

Answer 19

Does not play interactive games
Avoids eye contact
Displays lack of empathy
Prefers solitary or ritualistic play
Doesn’t imitate action of others

Question 20

Associated impairments

Answer 20

Cognitive
Sensory-perceptual impairments

Question 21

Associated impairments
- Cognitive

Answer 21

Attention and other social skills
Language
Executive functioning

Question 22

Associated Impairments
- Sensory-perceptual impairments

Answer 22

Sensory modulation disorders (over-responsive or under-responsive)
Tactile, visual, auditory, proprioceptive, and vestibular
May find normal noises painful
Holds hands over ears
Withdraws from physical contact
Rubs surfaces or licks objects

Question 23

Signs of sensory overlaod

Answer 23

Loss of balance/co-coordination
Skil flushes/goes pale
Verbalizing STOP!
Reduces activities
Racing HR
Hysteria/crying
Stomach distress, nausea, vomiting, cramps
Sweating
Anger/agitation
Repeating
Stimming
Lashing out