Autistic Disorder

Question 1

Onset

Answer 1

Before 3

Question 2

Diagnostic Criteria

Answer 2

At least 6 symptoms, with at least 2 from a and 1 from b and c.

• a. Social Interactions e.g. lack of awareness of the existance of others, no social play, no or abnormal seeking of comfort in distress.
• b. Communication e.g. no mode of com, abnormal nonverbal com, abnormal content of speech.
• c. Repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interest and actvities e.g. stereotyped motor mannerisms, marked distress over changes in environment, narrow interest

Question 3

Early Signs

Answer 3

• Lack of normal responsiveness to caregivers
• Babies refuse to cuddle, don’t smile, don’t respond to parent’s voices.

Question 4

Differential with Schizophrenia

Answer 4

• Usually develops after years of normal functioning.
• If Austims criteria is met and hallucinations and delusions are present, co-diagnosis is made.

Question 5

Differential with Disintegrative Disorder

Answer 5

DD normal development for 2 years with regression.

Question 6

Differential with Retts

Answer 6

Retts involves normal psychomotor development from 0-5 months, followed by certain deficits.

Question 7

Differential with Aspergers

Answer 7

Aspergers has no delay in language dev, cognitive dev, self-help skills, adaptive behavior and curiosity about environment.