Autism spectrum disorder Flashcards
Definition of autism spectrum disorder
- The occurrence of persistent impairments in social interaction
- Presence of restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities (DSM5)
Etiology of autism spectrum disorder
- Unclear, likely genetics and environment
- Increased orbital width is correlated with severity of ASD
- Eyes spaced further apart correlated with more severe ASD
Amygdala difference in autism spectrum disorder
Initial excess of amygdala neurons during childhood, then reduction in adulthood
Nervous system findings in autism spectrum disorder
- Decreased number of neural connections between brain areas
- Decreased neurochemical concentrations and cortical thickness
- Glial inflammation
- Decreased number of Purkinje cells in cerebellum
- Altered mirror neurons - involved with recognition of a task or person
Warning signs to parents for autism spectrum disorder
- Regression of previously achieved language milestones
- Lack of pretend play, or even imitative play
- Lack of pointing or looking toward where another points
- Lack of response to one’s name
Possible co-existing conditions with autism spectrum disorder
- Anxiety disorder
- Affective disorder
- Oppositional defiant disorder
- Phobia disorder
- Depressive disorder
- Incontinence
- Schizophrenia
Possible co-exting developmental conditions with autism spectrum disorder
- Fragile X
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Down syndrome
- Angelman syndrome
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Moebius and CHARGE syndrome
Signs of autism spectrum disorder
- Lack of eye contact with people or objects of interest
- Trouble understanding other people’s feelings or talking about their own
- Trouble communicating with others, interested or not
- Repeat actions over and over
- Losing skills they once had
Common physical impairments in autism spectrum disorder
- Gross motor delay
- Hypotonia
- Gait disturbances
- Toe walking
- Poor coordination and balance
- Apraxia
- Motor planning challenges - increase SMA activity over cerebellar activity; less automatic
- Ideation challenges
GI issues in autism spectrum disorder
- Feeding issues
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Pica syndrome
- Constipation
DSM5 2013: Persistent deficits in social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following:
- Deficits in social emotional reciprocity
- Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviors used for social interaction
- Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships
- Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech
- Inflexible adherence to routines
- Highly restricted, fixated interests
- Hyper or hypoactivity to sensory input
- Symptoms must be present in early developmental period
- Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment
- Disturbances not better explaned by intellectual disability
What is pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)?
- Some symptoms of autism, but not enough to be diagnosed with classical autism
- Can occur in conjunction with a wide spectrum of intellectual ability
- Defining features are significant challenges in social and language development
Patient management of autism spectrum disorder
- Diagnosed through comprehensive evaluation by multidisciplinary team
- Hearing test
- Sensory processing assessment tools
Screening - signs of autism spectrum disorder
- No babbling/gesturing by 12 months
- Unable to speak 1 word by 12 months
- Unable to combine 2 words by 2 years
- Any loss of language or social skills
PT for autism spectrum disorder
- Develop programs for strengthening, motor planning, balance, ball skills
- Participation in games and sports crucial to social integration
- Recognize and refer for non-motor deficits
How does exercise help with autism spectrum disorder?
- Decreased stereotypies
- Decreased aggression
- Decreased elopement
- Decreased off-task behavior
- Increased on-task behavior
What is first this - then that?
Use as a visual support for transitions OR to visually demonstrate a reward after a less preferred activity
Behavioral programs for ASD
- Applied behavior analysis
- Differential reinforcement
- Discrete trial training
- Self-management
Behavioral strategies for autism spectrum disorder
- Be calm
- Dont raise voice
- Don’t overload info
- Don’t touch if they don’t like it
- Concentrate on something else
- Breathing
- Get to a safe space
- Be patient
- Allow time for recovery
