Autism Spectrum Disorders Flashcards
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is ____
a group of complex developmental disorder that can cause problems with thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to
others.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) includes:
▪ Autism
▪ Asperger Syndrome
▪ Rett syndrome
▪ Childhood disintegrative disorder
“Spectrum” of Potential Presentations
- Present in 1st year of life with delays
- 2/3 ASD present with lack of acquisition of
Communication skills in 1st 2 years of life - Develop Typically, then Plateau
- Regression after Typical Development
1/4 to 1/3 achieve early milestones, but have
regression of communication, language, and social skills between 15 - 24 months
Social Relationships and ASD
Fail to develop and maintain peer relationships appropriate to
their level May prefer solitary play, lack understanding of behavior
appropriate to any given situation
____% ASD Report Motor Mannerisms
30 - 95
Autism epidemiology
Relatively common 1 in 68 (59) children. Males 4 times more likely with reports of 9 times more likely in high functioning
individuals. Most prominent in caucasian
Autism etiology
▪ No known etiology in 80-90% of cases.
▪ A genetic syndrome such as fragile X syndrome or chromosome 15q deletion is found in 10-20% of cases.
▪ Strong familial component. Parents of one child with autism of unknown etiology have
2-15% chance of having a second child with autism.
▪ AUTISM IS NOT CAUSED BY BAD PARENTING! NATURE VS NURTURE!
12-18 months of life a child should be able to:
▪ Orient to one’s name
▪ Regard people directly
▪ Use gestures
▪ Develop speech
16-18 months of life a child should be able to:
▪ Shift eye gaze from person to person
▪ Point to items they want
By 18 months of life a child should be able to :
▪ Follow a point
▪ Imitate others
▪ Engage in functional play (using toys how they are supposed to be used, rolling a car,
throwing a ball, feeding a baby doll)
▪ The 1st autism-specific screen is recommended at ____
18 months
A 2nd autism-specific screen in recommended at _____
24-30 months (M-CHAT R/F)
Asperger’s Epidemiology:
Males > Females 5:1
Asperger’s clinical features
- Hallmarks as previously discussed
but W/O Delay in language or cognitive
development - Avg. age of dx 11 years old
- Parenteral concerns as early as
30 months - Clumsiness
- Social concepts ie justice, peace,
Liberty, difficult to comprehend
Diagnosis of asbergers
Diagnostic Standard
● Clinical judgement
● Diagnostic tool for Autism or Asperger Syndrome
● M-CHAT
With the M-CHAT autism screening a diagnosis of ASD can be made reliably by
age ____
2
M-CHAT
Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT)
Why is a second screen for ASD recommended?
▪ A second screen is recommended because some of the symptoms may be
more obvious in an older child.
▪ Also approximately 30% of children with ASD experience a regression or
plateau in skills between 12 and 24 months. Screening at 18 months alone
could miss many of these children.
Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) Hallmark
Late onset of developmental delays or
“Stunning reversals” in
Language
Social Function
Motor Skills
Now called “Regressive Autism” in DSM V
Childhood
Disintegrative
Disorder (CDD)
Retts disorder etiology
Etiology:
Primarily a genetic mutation
(MECP2 gene)
Retts Disorder Epidemiology
Due to its genetic location it expresses almost
exclusively in females, expression is rare in males (Is not conducive to survival)
Clinical Presentation of Retts disorder
Term pregnancy, uneventful labor and delivery
Normal development for about 6 months
Deceleration of head growth
(may be present at 2-3 month check-up)
12-18 months
Loss of fine motor skills
Loss of intellectual ability
Loss of communication
