VC - Autism I

Question 1

What are two features of Autism and Related Disorders?

Answer 1

• Pervasive developmental disorder with neuroatypical behavior appearing early in development.
• Considered a spectrum disorder with a clear genetic underpinning.

Question 2

Who were the two key figures in the historical context of autism research?

Answer 2

1943 - Leo Kanner: Described children with social dysfunction, language delays, and repetitive behaviors; coined “autism.”

1944 - Hans Asperger: Focused on social skills, communication challenges, and special interests in similar children.

Question 3

What is the “Autistic Triad”? (3)

Answer 3

• Impaired Social Interaction: Difficulty in forming relationships, understanding social cues, and engaging reciprocally.
• Impaired Communication: Delayed language, pragmatic challenges, and limited nonverbal communication.
• Restricted/Repetitive Activities: Focus on inanimate objects and repetitive behaviors.

Question 4

How is The Autism Spectrum categorized? (2)

Answer 4

Asperger’s Syndrome: Social challenges, focused interests, preserved language skills.

Autism: Significant impairments in social interaction, communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors.

Question 5

What are Neuroatypical Behaviors and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)?

Answer 5

Neuroatypical Behaviors: Behaviors that deviate from what is considered ‘typical’. Appear during development and persist throughout life.

PDD: Disorders with delays in socialization and communication, evident in early childhood.

Question 6

What are the challenges in Developmental Maturation and Diagnosis of autism? (3)

Answer 6

• Developmental Maturation: Autism behaviors may evolve over time, and an initial diagnosis might later be refined to a different syndrome.
• Cognitive Dysfunction: High-functioning autism can complicate diagnosis compared to low-functioning cases.
• Major cognitive syndromes (e.g., intellectual disability, Rett’s syndrome, Fragile X syndrome) can mimic autistic behaviors but are distinct disorders.

Question 7

What does DSM-5 define as the core domains of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? (8)

Answer 7

1 . Deficits in Social Communication and Interaction (all 3 required):

• Difficulty with social reciprocity.
• Challenges in nonverbal communication.
• Problems forming and maintaining relationships.

2 . Restricted/Repetitive Behaviors (≥2):

• Repetitive movements or speech.
• Insistence on sameness.
• Highly fixated interests.
• Sensory reactivity differences.

3 . Symptoms Must Be Present in Early Development but may not fully manifenst until social demands exceed limited capacities.

Question 8

What is the gender difference in autism prevalence?

Answer 8

Autism is more frequently diagnosed in males.

Question 9

What are the reasons for gender disparity in autism prevalence? (3)

Answer 9

• Prenatal androgen exposure (e.g., testosterone) may play a role in brain development and the emergence of autistic traits.
• Male brains exhibit differences in white matter connectivity that may predispose them to traits associated with autism.
• Diagnostic tools may overlook subtler presentations of autism in females (e.g., better masking or camouflaging of symptoms).

Question 10

What are some gender differences in behavioral tendencies related to autism? (4)

Answer 10

Males:

• Tend to excel in systemizing (e.g., rules, mechanics, logic).
• Example: Stronger spatial skills like map reading.

Females:

• Tend to excel in empathizing (e.g., understanding and responding to emotions).
• Example: Better verbal fluency and emotional reasoning.

Question 11

How does neurological connectivity differ between males and females? (3)

Answer 11

Systemizing (Male Predominance):

• Males have increased local white matter connectivity, enhancing focused, specialized behaviors.
• In autism, these traits are amplified, leading to repetitive behaviors and reduced social engagement.

Empathizing (Female Predominance):

• Females have increased global neural connectivity, supporting social and emotional competencies.

Question 12

What is the Extreme Male Brain Hypothesis in autism? (2)

Answer 12

Autism is seen as an “extreme” form of the male brain, characterized by:

• Enhanced systemizing abilities.
• Impaired empathizing abilities.

Question 13

What are the biological underpinnings of the Extreme Male Brain Hypothesis? (4)

Answer 13

Prenatal Androgen Exposure:

• Androgens (e.g., testosterone) shape early brain development.
• High levels may enhance systemizing traits and reduce social/empathy-related circuits.

Impact on Neural Development:

• Promotes local brain connectivity in males.
• Disrupts circuits critical for social interaction and empathy.

Question 14

Other than masking, how can autism present differently in females? (5)

Answer 14

• Normative Special Interests: Interests may align with socially typical activities, making them less noticeable.
• Internalized Symptom Expression: Emotional struggles like anxiety or depression may overshadow autistic traits.
• Subtle Repetitive Behaviors: Less overt and more socially acceptable repetitive actions.
• Sensory Sensitivity Differences: Heightened sensitivity to sensory input, expressed in nuanced ways.
• Male Bias in Diagnosis: Diagnostic criteria may prioritize traits commonly seen in males, leading to underdiagnosis in females.