Lecture 8- Autism Spectrum Disorder Flashcards
Under the DSM-5 what are the various names that Autism Spectrum Disorderused to have?
-In DSM-IV-TR diagnoses of Autism, Aspergers, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder existed.
-These are now all categorized under one disorder: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
What is the diagnostic criteria for autism according to the DSM-5?
To meet diagnostic criteria for ASD according to DSM-5, a child must have persistent deficits in each of three areas of social communication
and interaction (A 1-3) plus at least two of four types of restricted, repetitive behaviours (B 1-4)
What are the three areas of social communication and interaction that children must show deficits in to be diagnosed with autism?
(A) Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction
across multiple contexts as manifest by the following, currently or by
history:
-Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity: ranging, for example, from
abnormal social approach and failure 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
interaction: 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 understanding:
relationships, ranging , for example , from difficulties in adjusting behavior to suit various social contexts; to difficulties in sharing imaginative play or making friends; to absence of interest in peers.
What are the four types of restricted, repetitive behaviours that children must show at least two of for autism to be diagnosed?
(B) Restrictive, repetitive behavior, interests, or activities, as manifest 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 stereotypies, lining up toys or flipping objects, echolalia, idiosyncratic phrases)
-Insistence in 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 same route or eat same food every day).
-High restricted, fixed interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus (e.g., strong attachment to or preoccupation with unusual objects, excessively circumscribed
or perseverative interests).
-Hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in
sensory aspects of the environment (e.g., apparent indifference to
pain/temperature, adverse response to specific sounds or textures, excessive smelling or touching of objects, visual fascination with lights or movement).
In terms of interests how is autism spectrum disorder opposite to ADHD?
-Do one thing and stick to it
-Know everything about their interest
Do autistic children do imaginative play?
No, this is what typically developing children do. For example, you give them a car and they will play with it like a car (drive it around). If it’s an autistic child then will typically just do something repetitive with the car not related to it’s function i.e. grab the wheel and spin it round and round.
In addition to the other criteria what is kind of like the ‘final checklist’ to be diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder?
(C) Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (but may not become fully manifest until social demands exceed limited capacities, or may be masked by learning strategies later in life).
(D) Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social,
occupational, or other important areas of current functioning.
(E) These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental delay. Intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder frequently co-occur; to make comorbid diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, social communication should be below that expected for general
developmental level.
What does the spectrum is Autism Spectrum disorder mean?
-Means that the disorder hugely varies depending on the individual.
-Can be more or less extreme (classified upon diagnosis from mild to severe ASD)
Why is it important that symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder occur early in childhood?
Because it is a developmental disorder. Therefore, expect symptoms to be present early on.
Does intellect/ cognitive ability vary across those with Autism Spectrum Disorder?
-Yes, varies a lot.
-Intellectual disability (ID) to genius, although 70% have ID
How are results from IQ tests with autistic individuals different than those who are typically developing?
Non-autistic ID tend to have an even profile. Autistic have an uneven profile with lower verbal than performance scores.
What percentage of autistic children have special talents as identified by IQ tests?
-About 25% have special talents/above average skills in a specific area – well above that of their general intellectual functioning. About 5% of these have extreme talents – far exceeding their peers (autistic savants).
-Their special talent usually relates to their restricted/ hyper focused interest in something
What is the cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder?
It’s a genetic condition – although specific genes have not been identified (there are many)
In general, what does the lifespan cause of Autism look like?
-Most Autistic children show gradual improvements although typically continue to have social impairments.
-They learn coping strategies to deal with the world
What do the outcomes for moderate- to severely autistic children look like? How has this changed over time?
-The prognosis for moderate-severely Autistic children is thought to have improved over the years, due to earlier detection, and better provision of services.
-Early estimates: 1-2% of severely Autistic children were able to obtain personal independence and independent employment.
-Recent estimates: 20% of moderate-severely Autistic children are able to work independently and make friends.
