Autism Spectrum Disorders

Question 1

Common comorbidities of autism

Answer 1

ADHD, OCD, Depression and Anxiety (especially in higher functioning individuals), and psychosis; intellectual disability

Question 2

Diagnostic categories for autism

Answer 2

1. Social emotional communication (eye contact, monotone voice, etc)
2. Stereotyped behaviors and interests (echolalic speech:repeating things they’ve heard, being obsessed with trains, etc)

Question 3

Diagnostic criteria for Autism

Answer 3

• medical assessment
• evaluation
• prognosis groups

Question 4

The changing epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders and possible explanations

Answer 4

• Increasing overtime; from 1:150 in 2000 to 1:44 in 2018
• Overall global mean rate is about 1%
• Delays in diagnosis result in an average of at least 1.5 years from the time parents first reported odd speech problems or other social deficits, typically around the age of 3.

Question 5

Methods to clinically evaluate autism

Answer 5

• ADOS
• ADI-R

Question 6

ADOS

Answer 6

(Autism Diagnostic Observation System); done directly with child

Question 7

ADI-R

Answer 7

(Autism Diagnostic Interview, revised); done with parent * Others: - Gilliam, CARS, Wing, Atwood, Ornitz, etc.

Question 8

Nonverbal learning disorders

Answer 8

• Deficits in neuropsych skills (e.g., tactile perception, psycho-motor coordination, visual-spatial organization, etc) occur in the presence of preserved rote verbal abilities
  ​​- Asperger’s is often associated with NVLD, but the converse is not necessarily true

Question 9

Predictors of good outcome for ASDs

Answer 9

• Highly dependent on individual’s level of functioning (high functioning individuals have better prognosis then low functioning individuals)
  Factors related to outcome:
• IQ by age 5-6 years
• Communication skills by age 5
• Early educational intervention
  Factors not related to outcome
• Family history of neuropsychiatric disorders
• Adequacy of parenting
• Family atmosphere