Exam 3: Autism Spectrum Disorder

Question 1

What is the M-CHAT used for?

Answer 1

• Modified checklist for autism in toddlers

- valid for use between 16 mos and 30 mos to assess risk of autism spectrum disorders.

Question 2

What is the primary goal of MCHAT?

Answer 2

• To maximize sensitivity

- better to have false positive than false negative

Question 3

When using the MCHAT, what children should be referred for diagnostic evaluation by a specialist trained to evaluate ASD in very young children?

Answer 3

-children between 16 and 30 mos who fail more than 3 items, or fail 2 critical items

Question 4

Frequency of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Answer 4

1 in 88 children

Question 5

Autism frequency in gender:

Answer 5

5x more common in boys than girls

Question 6

Parents with one child with autism spectrum disorder have between a ___ and ____ risk of having a second child with ASD

Answer 6

2%, 18%

Question 7

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Domain 1 symptoms

Answer 7

-a persistent deficit in social communication and interaction in several different contexts

Question 8

Autism Spectrum Disorder: Domain 2 symptoms

Answer 8

restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interests and activities

• such as-
• stereotypical movements, fixated interests, hyper or hypo-reaction to any sensory input

—these symptoms usually cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or educational areas of functioning

Question 9

When must symptoms be present to qualify as ASD?

Answer 9

-in early developmental period

Question 10

With regards to Autism Spectrum Disorder, a primary care provider’s responsibility is:

Answer 10

-observations, history and physical, sensory testing (eye, ear), and ordering chromosomal or genetic testing

Question 11

What kind of testing is commonly done with ASD?

Answer 11

• Detailed history & physical
• observations
• sensory testing (eye, ear)
• lead testing
• DNA analysis for fragile X and other developmental disabilities
• FISH test for unexplained intellectual developmental disabilities
• metabolic testing (amino acid analysis, mitochondrial metabolism analysis)
• EEG

Question 12

What is crucial when it comes to management of ASD?

Answer 12

-early diagnosis and referral

Question 13

Prognosis is better for children with autism when:

Answer 13

They’re identified well under 5 years of age

- diagnosis between 0 and 2 is optimal

Question 14

When should screening for autism be performed?

Answer 14

with well-child checks:

-newborn, 6 mos, 9 mos, 18 mos, 24 mos, 30 mos

Question 15

When should the MCHAT be performed?

Answer 15

-at least at 16 and 30 mos

Question 16

How early can autism be diagnosed?

Answer 16

-1 year of age if parents and providers are alert, or if the symptoms are severe

Question 17

Red flags for autism:

Answer 17

• babies who are not babbling by 12 mos
• babies who are not pointing or gesturing by 12 mos (I.e. waving bye-bye)
• no single words by 16 mos
• no two-word spontaneous words or utterances by 24 mos
• any loss of language or social skills at any age

Question 18

In order to achieve productive, positive outcomes for children with autism and their families, what is important?

Answer 18

-early intervention, early diagnosis, early management