Autistic Spectrum Disorder Flashcards

1
Q

What is autism?

A

A pervasive developmental disorder characterised by a triad of features.

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2
Q

What is the triad of features seen in autism?

A
  • Impaired social interaction
  • Impaired communication
  • Restricted, stereotyped interests and behaviours
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3
Q

What is the role of genetics in autism development?

A
  • Polygenetic relationship
  • Number of chromosomes implicated
  • Increased risk in genetic syndromes such as fragile X syndrome and tuberous sclerosis
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4
Q

What are the pre-natal risk factors for developing autism?

A
  • Family history
  • Older parental age
  • Exposure to certain medications in womb
  • Prenatal viral infections
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5
Q

Exposure to what drug in womb can increase the risk of autism?

A

Sodium valproate

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6
Q

What prenatal viral infection can increase the risk of developing autism?

A

Rubella

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7
Q

What are the antenatal risk factors for developing autism?

A
  • Hypoxia during birth
  • Prematurity
  • Very low birth weight
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8
Q

What are the post-natal risk factors for developing autism?

A
  • Toxins such as lead and mercury

- Pesticide exposure

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9
Q

How can the symptoms of autism be divided?

A
  • Asocial features
  • Restricted behaviour
  • Impaired communication
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10
Q

What are the asocial features of autism?

A
  • Few social gestures e.g. waving, nodding

- Lack of eye contact, social smile, response to name and interest in others etc.

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11
Q

How do people with autism restrict their behaviour?

A
  • Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviour e.g. rocking
  • Obsessively pursued interests
  • Fascination with sensory aspects of the environement
  • Upset at change to daily routine
  • May prefer same foods, clothes and games etc.
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12
Q

How can autism lead to impaired communication?

A
  • Distorted and delayed speech

- Echolalia

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13
Q

What is echolalia?

A

Repetition of words

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14
Q

When do most parents have concerns about their children when presenting with autism?

A

By 12-18 months of age

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15
Q

When must the onset of autism be?

A

Before 3 years of age

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16
Q

What are the other features of autism?

A
  • Intellectual disability*
  • Temper tantrums
  • Impulsivity
  • Cognitive impairment
17
Q

Why is intellectual disability not necessarily a feature of autism?

A

If you include all of the autistic spectrum, the majority will not have intellectual disability

18
Q

What aspects should be fully investigated when assessing for autism?

A
  • Family history
  • Pregnancy
  • Birth
  • Medical history
  • Developmental milestones
  • Daily living skills
  • Communication
  • Social interaction
  • Stereotyped behaviours
19
Q

What additional test may be needed if indicated by presentation/history?

A

Hearing test

20
Q

What are the differential’s for autism?

A
  • Asperger’s Syndrome
  • Rett’s syndrome
  • Childhood disintegrative disorder
  • Learning disability
  • Deafness
  • Schizophrenia
21
Q

What model can be used to breakdown the management of autism?

A

Biopsychosocial model

22
Q

How can autism be managed biologically?

A
  • Treatment of any co-existing disorders
  • Anti-psychotics for challenging behaviour as a last line
  • Melatonin for sleep disorders that persist despite behavioural interventions
23
Q

What psychological interventions can be used in managing autism?

A
  • Psychoeducation for family and carers
  • Full assessments of functions and behaviours
  • CBT
24
Q

When is CBT usually a good treatment option?

A

If the child has verbal and cognitive ability to engage

25
Q

What social interventions can be used in the management of autism?

A
  • Modification of environmental factors
  • Social-communication interventions
  • Self-help groups
  • Special schooling may be considered
26
Q

How can environmental factors be modified?

A
  • Manage lighting, noise etc.

- Avoiding inadvertent reinforcing of challenging behaviour

27
Q

What is an example of a self-help group for people with autism?

A

National Autism Society