Autism Spectrum Disorders

Question 1

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is ____

Answer 1

a group of complex developmental disorder that can cause problems with thinking, feeling, language, and the ability to relate to
others.

Question 2

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) includes:

Answer 2

▪ Autism
▪ Asperger Syndrome
▪ Rett syndrome
▪ Childhood disintegrative disorder

Question 3

“Spectrum” of Potential Presentations

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

Social Relationships and ASD

Answer 4

Fail to develop and maintain peer relationships appropriate to
their level May prefer solitary play, lack understanding of behavior
appropriate to any given situation

Question 5

____% ASD Report Motor Mannerisms

Answer 5

30 - 95

Question 6

Autism epidemiology

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Autism etiology

Answer 7

▪ 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!

Question 8

12-18 months of life a child should be able to:

Answer 8

▪ Orient to one’s name
▪ Regard people directly
▪ Use gestures
▪ Develop speech

Question 9

16-18 months of life a child should be able to:

Answer 9

▪ Shift eye gaze from person to person
▪ Point to items they want

Question 10

By 18 months of life a child should be able to :

Answer 10

▪ 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)

Question 11

▪ The 1st autism-specific screen is recommended at ____

Answer 11

18 months

Question 12

A 2nd autism-specific screen in recommended at _____

Answer 12

24-30 months (M-CHAT R/F)

Question 13

Asperger’s Epidemiology:

Answer 13

Males > Females 5:1

Question 14

Asperger’s clinical features

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

Diagnosis of asbergers

Answer 15

Diagnostic Standard
● Clinical judgement
● Diagnostic tool for Autism or Asperger Syndrome
● M-CHAT

Question 16

With the M-CHAT autism screening a diagnosis of ASD can be made reliably by
age ____

Answer 16

2

Question 17

M-CHAT

Answer 17

Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT)

Question 18

Why is a second screen for ASD recommended?

Answer 18

▪ 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.

Question 19

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD) Hallmark

Answer 19

Late onset of developmental delays or
“Stunning reversals” in
Language
Social Function
Motor Skills

Question 20

Now called “Regressive Autism” in DSM V

Answer 20

Childhood
Disintegrative
Disorder (CDD)

Question 21

Retts disorder etiology

Answer 21

Etiology:
Primarily a genetic mutation
(MECP2 gene)

Question 22

Retts Disorder Epidemiology

Answer 22

Due to its genetic location it expresses almost
exclusively in females, expression is rare in males (Is not conducive to survival)

Question 23

Clinical Presentation of Retts disorder

Answer 23

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