Topic 3.1 ASD Autism Spectrum Disorder Flashcards
ASC Condition
Neurodevelopmental condition
condition caused by a combination of genes, brain biology, and environment, leading to differences in how a person functions and behaves.
DSM
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
DSM - 5
2013 update
50% intellectual disability.
characterized by significant challenges in cognitive abilities and daily living skills, often with an IQ score below 70.
Kanner’s autism
a form of autism with severe challenges in social communication, limited speech, repetitive behaviors, and intellectual disability.
Asperger syndrome,
describes “high-functioning autism,” a term used for autistic individuals with average or above-average intelligence and good language skills.
co-morbidity.
common term for the co-occurrence of conditions
Biomarker
a measurable biological, genetic, pathological or physical characteristic by which a particular condition or disorder can be reliably identified.
ICD
e International Classification of Diseases (ICD) - WHO global classification
NAP-C)
The National Autism Plan for Children (NAP-C) is a UK voluntary framework containing guideline recommendations
ADI-R
the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R).
the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
4 module diagnostic process
Prevalence
The proportion of people with a condition, symptom, injury or illness within a defined population at a particular time (also referred to as prevalence rate).
Incidence
number newly diagnosed per 1,000 or 10,000
epidemiological studies
observational studies looking at causes
systematic review
a literature review, where researchers analyze existing studies on a topic to draw conclusions and identify gaps in knowledge.
meta-analysis
a research method that statistically combines the results of multiple studies on a specific topic.
Autism is caused by
a complex interplay of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors.
Extraneous variable
All variables that are present in an experimental study that are not the variables under investigation or being measured.
Confounding variable
These are extraneous variables in experiments that may affect the dependent variable, such that clear conclusions about the relationship between the independent and dependent variables cannot be drawn.
Statistically significant
A term used after the application of a statistical test to denote the fact that any measured results from an experiment or study are unlikely to have occurred by chance.
ToM
Theory of Mind: The ability to understand other people’s mental states
protodeclarative pointing
a social communication skill used to share interest in something, which may be absent in children with autism.
EF
Executive Function: A collective term for mental processes that control behaviour. Autism - perseverating.
Behavioural Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)
A survey tool designed to measure executive function skills used in everyday settings and tasks.
EQ
empathy quotient (EQ): A questionnaire-based measure of empathy
SQ
systemising Quotient (SQ): A questionnaire-based measure of systemising. Autistic are likely to have a higher score than neurotypical.
monotropism
A trait in autism in which an individual focuses their attention on objects and topics that are of particular interest to the individual.
heritability
means the proportion of phenotypic variation across a population which is due to genetic variation.
broader autism phenotype
Milder manifestation of traits typical for autism, but not to the extent of meeting the diagnostic criteria. This pattern is sometimes seen in relatives of autistic individuals.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
Multiple SNPs could be working together to Autism. Differences in a single nucleotide in a specific sequence of DNA that occur within a population.
Copy number variants (CNVs)
Differences in the number of particular sequences of DNA within the genome. Variation in number arises from deletion, insertion or duplication of sequences of DNA.
de novo mutations,
65 genes with mutations strongly implicated in autism. age of father related.
candidate genes
Genes whose functions, or locations on particular chromosomes, indicate that they might be associated with a condition or disorder.
synaptic pruning
A process in brain development where the synaptic connections established in fetal and early development are subsequently reduced in number.
association cortex
Regions located within all lobes of the cortex that, through their interlinking, support high level integrative activities such as comparing sensory inputs to stored memories.
