Autism spectrum disorders Flashcards
Autism spectrum disorders, definition
Also known pervasive development disorders
= lifelong neurodevelopmental disorders with onset before 36 mths.
Three core diagnostic features are?
impaired social interaction
impaired verbal
non-verbal communication skills
repetitive stereotyped behaviour and activities
Autistic disorder
It affects at least 1 in 160 children
- boys 4x as commonly as girls
Many autistic children appear physically healthy and well developed
although there is an association with a range of other disorders such as Tourette disorder and epilepsy.
Most have intellectual disability but ~30% function in the normal range.
Autistic children show many disturbed behaviours, such as;
- tantrums
- hyperactivity
- destructiveness
- impairment in communication.
The earliest signs of autism in infancy include:
excessive crying
no response to cuddling if crying
failure to mould the body in anticipation of being picked up
stiffening the body or resisting when being held
failing to respond or overreacting to sensory stimuli
reduced, even avoidance of, eye contact
persistent failure to imitate, such as waving goodbye
poor interaction with other children
fascination with particular toys/objects
Assessment
The diagnosis of autism remains difficult before the age of 2.
If a child has delayed and deviant development and autism is suspected, a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment is necessary.
Referral to professionals with experience of autism is essential.
Intensive early intervention is the gold standard and improves long-term outcomes.
A GP-friendly screening tool for ASD is the Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (CHAT)
Red flags:
Internationally recognised
They are absolute indications for referral for an autistic-specific assessment:
Does not babble or coo by 12 months of age
Does not gesture (point, wave, etc.) by 12 months
Does not say single words by 16 months
Does not say 2-word phrases on own by 24 months
Does not share interest in objects or activities with another
Any loss of language or social skills at any age
