Autism Spectrum Disorders

Question 1

Developmental Psychopathology

Answer 1

field of psychology that focuses on determining what is abnormal at any one point in the developmental process by comparing and contrasting it with normal and expected changes that occur

Question 2

Risk and Protective Factors

Answer 2

factors that make negative or positive outcomes more likely

Question 3

Equifinality vs. Multifinality

Answer 3

Equifinality: individuals can arrive at the same outcome from diverse beginnings

Multifinality: a particular risk factor can lead to many different outcomes

Question 4

Resilience

Answer 4

one’s ability to develop optimally despite exposure to conditions of considerable risk or adversity

Question 5

Spectrum of disorders

Answer 5

autism is not just one thing; there’s great heterogeneity across the spectrum, children can be affected to very different degrees

Question 6

Dyad of impairments

Answer 6

impairment in social COMMUNICATION and INTERACTION; restricted, repetitive and stereotyped PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR and interest

Question 7

Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Answer 7

ASDs: Autism disorder (AD), Asperger syndrome (AS), PDD-NOS

Rett’s disorder: females only, rare, genetic mutation on X chromosome.

Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD): chioldren develop typically for first few years and then regress backwards; very rare

Question 8

AD vs AS

Answer 8

AD: differences apparent early on

AS: do not show language impairment until later on; cognitive skills are average/above average; main difficulty is social skills – tend to become experts or focused on a specific topic

Question 9

Prevalence of ASD

Answer 9

has been increasing - but may be because of new diagnostic techniques and criteria

currently about 1/110-150, as high as 1/88 (0.6-0.9%)

lower than mental retardation, higher than cerebal palsy

males are 4x more likely to have ASD diagnosis

Question 10

Prevalence of ASDs by subtype

Answer 10

36/10,000 for PDD-NOS, 22/10,000 for AD, 10/10,000 for AS

Question 11

Spotting the early signs of ASD: 3 things

Answer 11

communication; actions; play

Question 12

Warning signs: Communication

Answer 12

delay in understanding words/phrases; not understanding own name; not using pointing/waving gestures; reduced social babbling; reduced expression of positive emotions

Question 13

Warning signs: Actions

Answer 13

fixation on objects; difficulty shifting attention; delay in motor skills; repetitive/unusual motor behaviors

Question 14

Warning signs: Play

Answer 14

reduced imitation of actions; reduced interest in toys; repetitive actions with toys; examining toys for a long time; insistence on certain toys; reduced interest in social play

Question 15

Is autism genetic?

Answer 15

Yes, but not straightforward - not due to one gene. The result of an INTERACTION between genetics and the environment.

Question 16

Concordance rates of ASD in twins

Answer 16

Monozygotic: 70-90%
Dizygotic: 0-25%

Question 17

Possible autism candidate gene?

Answer 17

PTCHD1

• deleted/mutated in some boys with autism
• only 1% of boys with autism have this gene mutated

Question 18

What vaccines still contain thimerosal?

Answer 18

• influenza

- hepatitis B

Question 19

Potential risk factors for ASD

Answer 19

• parental age (particularly paternal age; paternal age only contributes when mother is young?)
• prenatal infections (e.g. rubella)
• some medications
• premature birth (rates 2-4x higher in preterm kids)

Question 20

Non-replicated factors

Answer 20

• agricultural pesticides
• pet pesticides
• hazardous air pollutants
• endocrine disruptors
• NEW: time between births (closer siblings are born together, higher rate of autism?)

Question 21

Two main types of interventions

Answer 21

• educational
• behavioural
• NO CURE

Question 22

Early Intervention

Answer 22

established treatment targeted to child’s specific goals and needs; intensive (20-40 hrs/wk); family-centered

**ABA: Applied Behavior Analysis - most common

Question 23

Instruction Treatment for ASD

Answer 23

children with ASD have difficulty with unexpected events; instruction such as “story-based interventions” reduce the chance than an unexpected event will happen

Question 24

Behaviour regulation treatments for ASD

Answer 24

• Antecedent package: change environment to decrease challenging behaviors
• Behavioural package: reduce challenging behavior or teach new behavior
• Self-management: teach individuals strategies to independently monitor/reward own behavior

Question 25

Language/Communication - Augmentative & Alternative Communication Device

Answer 25

emerging treatment - technological device to help communication

Question 26

Language/Communication - Language Training

Answer 26

emerging treatment - goal is to increase speech and how language is understood

Question 27

Language/Communication - Picture Exchange Communication System

Answer 27

emerging treatment - an aid to teach functional communication for everyday life

Question 28

Behavior Regulation - Antecedent Exercise

Answer 28

emerging treatment - physical activity to reduce problem behaviors (e.g. yoga)

Question 29

Behavior Regulation - Exposure Package

Answer 29

emerging treatment - prevent poor strategies in situations that increase anxiety

Question 30

Behavior Regulation - Multi-Component Package

Answer 30

emerging treatment - a variety of coordinated treatments from different fields

Question 31

Behavior Regulation - Reductive package

Answer 31

emerging treatment - decrease problem behaviors without alternative approach

Question 32

Unestablished treatments

Answer 32

academic interventions; auditory integration training; facilitated communication; gluten/casein-free diets; sensory integrative package

Question 33

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment

Answer 33

claims to improve functioning by increasing oxygen to the brain but evidence is weak; possible safety concerns

Question 34

Chelation

Answer 34

claims to remove heavy metal from blood but lack of strong evidence and potential harm (i.e. death)