Intro to Autism

Question 1

Intro to Autism

Autism is a Spectrum

Answer 1

Autism affects all ethnic and socio-economic groups
Four times as many boys are diagnosed with ASD as girls
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports the current incidence is 1 in 68 children
Autism is growing at a rate of 10-17% per year

Question 2

Intro to Autism

Diagnosis

Answer 2

Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across contexts, not accounted for by general developmental delays
Engagement in repetitive or stereotypic movements, phrases or movements with objects
Symptoms together limit and impair everyday functioning

Question 3

Intro to Autism

Diagnostic Instruments

Answer 3

Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is a rating scale often administered with the ADOS
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) is currently the “gold-standard” for part of a diagnosis of autism and can only be administered after extensive training
Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) is a scale that be filled out with parents to determine the relative severity of autism

Question 4

Intro to Autism

Diagnostic Instruments

Answer 4

Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VAB) is a parent questionnaire which measures a child’s skills against same-age peers
Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS) is an extensive list of individual skills to track a child’s current status and progress. It is administered partially as observation and partially as testing
Verbal Behavior Milestones and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) similar to ABLLS but skills are combined making it less time consuming and more user friendly

Question 5

Intro to Autism
The Autism Spectrum DSM 5
Diagnostic Criteria for 299.00 Autism Spectrum Disorder

Answer 5

• Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following, currently or by history:
• Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity; ranging for example, from abnormal social approach and failures of normal back-and-forth conversation; to reduced sharing of interests, emotions, or affect; to failure to initiate or respond to social interactions
• Deficits in nonverbal, communicative behaviors used for social interactions, ranging, for example, from poorly integrated verbal and nonverbal communication; to abnormalities in eye contact and body language or deficits in understanding and use of gestures; to a total lack of facial expressions and nonverbal communication
• Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understand relationships, ranging for example, from difficulties adjusting behavior to suit various social contexts; to difficulties in sharing imaginative play or in making friends; to absence of interest in peers

Question 6

Intro to Autism
The Autism Spectrum DSM 5
Specify current severity:

Answer 6

• Severity is based on social communication impairments and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior
• Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following currently or by history:
• Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (e.g. simple motor stereotypes, lining up toys, or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases)
• Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior (e.g. extreme distress at small changes, difficulties with transitions, rigid thinking patterns, greeting rituals, need to take the same route or eat the same food everyday)
• Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity (e.g. strong attachment or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed or preservative interests)
• Hyper or hyperactivity to sensory input or unusual interests in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g. apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling, or toughing objects, visual fascination with lights or movement)