days 20-21 Flashcards
What does the Heider & Simmel (1944) animation reveal about social cognition?
It shows that neurotypical people tend to see intentional behavior in shapes, while individuals with autism often describe them literally or mechanically.
What is Theory of Mind (ToM)?
The ability to understand that others have beliefs, desires, and intentions that guide their behavior.
What kind of test is used to assess Theory of Mind?
False belief tasks, like the Sally-Anne test.
What are common repetitive behaviors in individuals with autism?
Self-stimulation, rigid routines, intense interests, and preoccupation with parts of objects (Instead of engaging with an object as a whole or using it for its intended function, the individual may focus intensely on a specific part of it)
What is the definition of Autism Spectrum Disorder according to DSM-5?
- Persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, such as abnormal social approach, failure of back-and-forth conversation, lack of interest in sharing emotions or interests
- Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, such as repetitive motor movements or speech, insistence on sameness or rigid routines, fixated, intense interests, hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory stimuli (e.g., indifference to pain or excessive smelling)
- Symptoms must be present during early developmental periods and cause significant impairment in daily life.
What are some deficits in social communication and interaction seen in individuals with ASD?
Deficits can include abnormal social approach, failure of normal back-and-forth conversation, reduced sharing of emotions, and difficulty initiating or responding to social interactions.
What are some examples of restricted and repetitive behaviors in ASD?
Examples include repetitive motor movements, insistence on sameness, intense fixated interests, and hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input (e.g., indifference to pain).
How is the severity of Autism Spectrum Disorder rated in the DSM-5?
Severity is rated as requiring support, substantial support, or very substantial support.
What if you only demonstrate symptoms consistent with criterion A (social communication problems)?
If you don’t present restrictive repetitive movement, you fall under the category of social communication disorder
What is the criteria for social communication disorder according to the DSM-5?
- Deficits in social communication and interaction, which manifest as difficulties with:
- Social reciprocity (e.g., failure of back-and-forth conversation).
- Nonverbal communication (e.g., abnormal use of gestures or facial expressions).
- Developing and maintaining relationships (e.g., difficulty adjusting behavior in social contexts or sharing imaginative play). - The difficulties are not explained by other medical or developmental conditions (such as intellectual disabilities, speech-language disorders, or ASD).
- Symptoms must be present early in development, though they may not be fully recognized until later, when more complex social situations arise.
- Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.
What is the gold standard tool used for diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder?
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
What is a “press” in the context of the ADOS?
A structured situation designed to elicit behaviors typically seen in autism (e.g., presenting toys in an unstructured way).
What kind of tool is the ADOS?
A semi-structured observation of the child’s behavior.
What is the ADI-R and what does it assess?
The Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R) is a structured interview with caregivers to assess the child’s developmental history and behavior.
Why are both the ADOS and ADI-R often used together?
To combine direct observation with caregiver-reported developmental and behavioral history, providing a fuller picture for diagnosis.
What is the current estimated prevalence of autism?
1 to 1.5% of the population.
What is the male-to-female diagnosis ratio in autism?
About 4:1; in less severe ASD, the ratio can be as high as 10:1.
At what age are autism symptoms usually first noticed?
Around the child’s 2nd birthday.
What early detection methods are being studied for autism?
Eye-tracking (geometric vs. social images) and brain imaging (cortical surface expansion).
What percentage of children with autism also meet criteria for intellectual disability?
About 70%.
What percentage of children with ASD have splinter skills or remarkable talents?
25% have splinter skills; 5% show remarkable talents.
What distinguishes children with ASD from those with only intellectual disability?
Children with ID have
No specific deficit in joint attention
No specific deficit in theory of mind
No specific deficit in pretend play
Social behaviors appropriate for their mental age
Name three other conditions commonly comorbid with autism.
Epilepsy, ADHD, and anxiety disorders.
How heritable is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and how does it compare to other neurodevelopmental or psychiatric disorders?
ASD is highly heritable, with estimates around 83–90%, making it one of the most heritable neurodevelopmental disorders.
For comparison, ADHD has ~70–80% heritability schizophrenia ~80%, bipolar disorder 60-80%, major depression 30-40%
