Autism Spectrum Disorder

Question 1

Sx and signs of ASD

Answer 1

Persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, manifested in 3 areas:
1. Social interaction
-Abnormal social approach
-Failure of normal back and forth conversation
-Reduced sharing of interests/ emotions/ affect
-Failure to initiate or respond to social interactions
-‘aloof’, ‘passive’, ‘being in their own world’
2. Communication
-Significant speech delay, with some never acquiring speech
-Echolalia
-Lack of non-verbal communication e.g. eye contact, social smiling, facial expression, gestures
3. Imagination and play
-Children with ASD often lack creativity and imaginative play
-Difficulties sharing in imaginative playing or in making friends
-Absence of interest in peers
-They may prefer using their senses to explore toys, for example smelling, tasting or staring at the toys rather than playing with them
-Dislike of routine change and need for repetitive activities
Others:
-Delayed or lack of pointing
-Regression
-Lack of response to name
-Hand flapping or jumping
-Spinning around
-Lining up cars
-‘White diet’
-Sleeping problems
-Attention difficultly
-Being more or less sensitive than normal to smells, sounds, sights or touch
-Intellectual disability

Question 2

Management of ASD

Answer 2

Speech and language therapy
Behaviour therapy: a psychologist may help identify triggers for behavioural outbursts and help the family develop ways to avoid and/or manage these issues
Sleep: melatonin
OT: modifying toys
Special education setting
Environmental changes: visual aids, structured and predictable environment
Pharmacological: ritalin, SSRI, antipsychotic