Autism Spectrum Disorder Flashcards
What conditions does autism spectrum disorder encompass?
Asperger’s syndrome, Rett’s syndrome, childhood autism, pervasive developmental disorder, pervasive developmental disorder NQS
What is the triad of impairments in autism?
Social communication, social interaction and imagination, repetitive behaviours
What are some features of social communication in people with autism?
Generally good language skills but find it hard to grasp underlying meaning of conversation
Difficulties understanding jokes, idiom and sarcasm
Voices often sound monotonous
Language can be pedantic and idiosyncratic
Narrow interests which dominate their conversations
Difficulty showing thoughts and feelings
What are some features of social interaction in people with autism?
Difficulties picking up non-verbal cues
Appear self-focused and lacking in empathy
Continually struggle to make and sustain relationships
What are some features of social imagination in autistic patients?
Difficulties thinking flexibly and in abstract ways
Inability to understand other points of view
Difficulties applying knowledge and skills across settings with different people
Difficulties projecting themselves into future or planning goals sensibly
What are some examples of ritualistic behaviours?
Stereotyped or repetitive movements or speech
Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routine or ritualistic behaviour
Hyper/hyporeactivity
How common is autism?
Occurs in about 1-2% = 5 times more common in boys
What are SHBG levels like in girls with Asperger’s syndrome?
Reduced levels = points to higher levels of free testosterone
What is the link between autism and gender identity?
8-10% of children seen at GID clinics meet criteria for autism
Between 2011-13, >50% of young people referred to London NHS GID clinic had autistic traits
What is the link between congenital adrenal hyperplasia and autism?
Girls with CAH showed more traits of autism spectrum disorder and higher levels of gender dysphoria
What are some conditions that autism is linked to?
Maternal rubella, tuberous sclerosis, fragile X syndrome, encephalitis, untreated phenylketonuria
What is the heritability of autism?
35-90% heritability
30% of siblings will have broader autism phenotype
Around 5% of siblings meet diagnostic criteria
What chromosomal abnormalities are linked with autism?
Deletions, duplications and inversions
When do all known teratogens act on the foetus?
During the first 8 weeks from conception
What are some perinatal factors that are linked to autism development?
Umbilical cord complications, foetal distress, birth injury/trauma, multiple births, maternal haemorrhage, low birth weight, congenital malformations, meconium aspiration, neonatal anaemia
What parts of the brain are pathological in autism?
Frontal lobes, amygdala and cerebellum
How does the amygdala appear in autistic boys?
Appears 13-16% larger = associated with more severe anxiety and worse social/communication skills