Week 4 - Autism Spectrum Disorder

Question 1

What is ASD?

Answer 1

A collective term for a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, and by repetitive patterns of behaviour and restricted interests.

Question 2

When do the behavioural features that characterise ASD appear?

Answer 2

Before 3 years of age

Question 3

What percentage of Autistic people are under 25?

Answer 3

83%

Question 4

Are males or females more likely to have autism?

Answer 4

Males are 4 times more likely than females

Question 5

What are risk factors of Autism?

Answer 5

Environmental
Genetics
Neurological
Other conditions

Question 6

What are the 2 diagnostic tools for Autism?

Answer 6

Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5)

International Classification of Diseases ICD11

Question 7

What is stimming?

Answer 7

Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects or speech

Question 8

What are the difficulties encountered when diagnosing ASD?

Answer 8

No established biological marker
Variability of signs and symptoms
Overlap with other developmental conditions
Application of DSM and ICD is subjective
Clinician experience and skill
Variability between states
Different diagnostic standards between health and education systems.

Question 9

What is the diagnostic process of ASD?

Answer 9

Referral
Comprehensive needs assessment
Diagnostic evaluation
Referral to service providers based on support needs

Question 10

What functional impact does ASD have on Autistic people?

Answer 10

Difficulties with:
Social participation
Paly
Sleep
ADLS
Education
Performance patters and skill
Employment

Question 11

True or false, a main feature of autism is autistic people have difficulty understanding neurotypical social communication?

Answer 11

True

Question 12

What social participation problems can autistic children have difficulty with?

Answer 12

Imitation
Communication
Sharing similar interests with others
Playing with pretence (make believe) and ideation

Question 13

What are differences in autistic children play?

Answer 13

Unusual visual exploration of objects
Preoccupation with object features
Limited flexibility and creativity in use of objects
Repetitive use of objects
Difficulties generating flexible and novel ideas
Repetitive nature of object use
Difficulties with pragmatic language

Question 14

True or false, autistic children spend less time in solitary play and more time in functional play and pretend play?

Answer 14

False. Autistic children spend more time in solitary play and less time in functional and pretend play.

Question 15

True or false; Autistic children often have difficulties with falling asleep and staying asleep and often wake early?

Answer 15

True

Question 16

True or false, Autistic people do not benefit from routine and predictability?

Answer 16

False, autistic people benefit greatly from routine and predictability.

Question 17

What performance problems do autistic children have difficulty with?

Answer 17

Communication
Social skills
Emotional regulation
Gross motor skills
Fine motor skills
Praxis
Sensory processing
Anxiety
Generating novel thoughts

Question 18

How is Autism managed?

Answer 18

Early diagnosis
Early intervention
Educational assistance
Education and information for family and staff
Behaviour modification
Understanding sensory preferences
Medication

Question 19

How many ASD children do not use speech functionally?

Answer 19

a third to one half

Question 20

What is AAC?

Answer 20

Augmentative and Alternative communication

Question 21

When would AAC be used?

Answer 21

A Primary method of communication

To supplement their existing speech eg. in times of high anxiety or during emotional dysregulation.

Question 22

What are visual schedules?

Answer 22

Visual schedules use a series of pictures to communicate a series of activities or the steps of a specific activity.

Question 23

What are aided symbols?

Answer 23

Communication boards with pictures and words

Question 24

What are voice output communication aids?

Answer 24

Portable devices with electronic speech output (require some motor skills)

Question 25

What is Total communication/manual signing?

Answer 25

Speech and manual signing used in combination (requires fine motor)

Question 26

In sensory processing, what is hyper reactivity?

Answer 26

Child may respond negatively to common sensory stimuli such as sounds, touch or movement

Question 27

In sensory processing what is hypo reactivity?

Answer 27

Child may appear to be unaware or unresponsive to sensory stimuli in their environment.

Question 28

True or false; autistic people demonstrate symptoms along a spectrum?

Answer 28

True