Exam 1 Flashcards
Who coined the term autism?
Kanner - 1943 > the first time “autism” was clinically used
-he recognized it as a spectrum, and as a product of development
-Autism = greek word meaning “inward self/ social withdrawal
-he came up with fridge mom but didn’t popularize it
What did Asperger (1944) compare autism to? What was his term for autism?
Childhood schizophrenia
-identified many of the diagnostic criteria as today
-called it autistic psychopathy
What did Bender (1953) do with autism?
radical invasive experimental treatments
-same diagnosis as schizophrenia
-used LSD, frontal luchotomy, and electrotherapy as treatment
-identified that its not due to poor childhood upbringing
What’s one thing about Bettheim (50s/60s)?
Believed autism had psychogenic origin, and the idea of fridge moms were the cause
-popularized fridge moms, didn’t make it up
-wasnt even a trained psychologist lol just released a book
What did Rimland (1964) believe about autism?
-That psychogenic/fridge moms weren’t the cause
-That autism was related to brain differences in the reticular formation - purely neurological causes
-too biological, not environmental enough
What did Wing (1979) differentiate autism from?
Differentiated autism from intellectual differences
-referred to it as a triad of impairment
-social communication differences
-behavioural differences
-autism continuum of strengths and differences - not a disorder
In the DSM I and II (1952/1968) consider autism as a diagnosis?
Nope - considered the same thing as childhood schizophrenia
What about the DSM III (1980)?
-added under developmental disorders
-focused on infant severe forms of autism:
lack of responsiveness, environment,
specified no hallucinations or delusions.
- must show symptoms before 30 months
What did the DSM III-R (1988) do with Autism diagnosis?
-Named Autistic Disorder, listed under PDD (pervasive developmental disorder)
-expanded criteria - must have 2 differences in each domain
What did the DSM IV-TR (1994, 2003) do?
-put autism in PDD category
-Aspergers, autism, rets , pervasive developmental disorder
-made criteria more specific
Tell me about the DSM-5 (2013)
Autism now referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Give me a brief description of the evolution of CAUSES of ASD
-Autism is not schizophrenia (Kolvin, 1971 + Rutter, 1972)
-Autism has a neurodevelopmental basis (1970, Hermelin/O’Connor + 1979, Rutter)
-Genetic basis of autism and twin studies (like showing diff inheritance rates, proving genetic cause) (1977, Folstien/Rutter + 1995, Bailey)
-Cognitive basis of autism (exec. disfunc. + over attention to detail) (1985, Baron-Cohen + 1989, Frith + 1991, Ozonoff)
Explain the points of evolution of TREATMENT of ASD (1950s, 1960s, 1960/70s, 1970/80s, 1990s+)
-1950s: Leucotomies, ECT and LSD - treatments for schizophrenia used for ASD
-1960s: Behavioural approaches - pos. rein., proof of env. impact, tactic of removing them from stimulation env., Lovaas (1965) claimed he could get rid of ASD lol
-1960s/1970s: Psychoanalytic approaches and the “Parentectomy” (remove child from “refrigerator parent”)
-1970s/1980s: Pharmacological studies: tried vitamins (didn’t work obvi), tried psychotics (helped but didn’t fully work), tried SSRIs (helped but didn’t work)
-1990s+: other intervention approaches
What is a refrigerator mother? Talk about the movie we watched
(said there will be broad q’s about movies + discussion after on exam)
-Moms blamed for children being autistic; told they were too cold, child rejected them
-child could only be autistic if white, upper middle class, and parents educated (ppl of colour would not be diagnosed)
-Isolation technique
-BUT REALLY: moms/parents were the experts on their children - this was ignored
What is the Isolation technique in relation to refiderator moms?
Isolate child from fam, remove all tools, lock them in a room… idk then hope they chill?
Are rates of autism today increasing?
yes (but see next card)
Why are rates of autism increasing?
Environmental factors:
-toxins, chemicals, hormones were being exposed to that weren’t there before
-later pregnancies
BUT see next card
Why may it seem like autism is increasing?
-better diagnostic criteria
-increased representation of autism
-increased diagnoses rather then more autism?
-recognition of wider spectrum
*environment is still contributing tho
What countries worldwide have been studied on ASD and therefore are comparable?
Canada, US, England, France, Finland, Iceland, Asia
*don’t have as much info on developing countries, so not comparable
Are the reports of “clusters” of ASD in some areas factual?
Not researched, only speculated by popular media so probably not true
Why is ASD political? Diagnosis:
-is it a disorder of just neurodivergent?
-ASD is the only diagnosis that requires a specific tool to diagnose (like compared to anxiety, which has many measures/tools)
Why is ASD political?
Terminology:
-DSM-5 removed different categories
-person first vs identity first > varying opinions on this
Why is ASD political?
Treatment:
-to treat or not?
-what works best?
-focus on early intervention or later?
Why is ASD political?
Advocacy and Supports:
-can get funding in Canada since 2003 for treatment of ASD, but not other diagnoses - this is controversial