Autistic spectrum disorders Flashcards
What may be an underlying cause of failing to acquire normal social and communication skills?
Autism spectrum disorder
In which gender are autism spectrum disorders more common?
Males
At what age is presentation of an autism spectrum disorder most common?
2-4 years - when language and social skills normally rapidly expand
What is the triad of difficulties that children with autisum spectrum disorders have?
- Impaired social interaction
- Speech and language disorder
- Imposition of routines with ritualistic and repetitive behaviour
What are 7 features of the impaired social interaction present in autism spectrum disorders?
- Does not seek comfort, share pleasure, form close friendships
- Prefers own company, no interest or ability in interacting with peers (play or emotions)
- Gaze avoidance
- Lack of joint attention
- Socially and emotionally inappropriate behaviour
- Does not appreciate that others have thoughts and feelings
- Lack of appreciation of social cues
What are 6 features of the speech and language disorder that may be present in autism spectrum disorders?
- Delayed development, may be severe
- Limited use of gestures and facial expression
- Formal pedantic language, monotonous voice
- Impaired comprehension with over-literal interpretation of speech
- Echoes questions, repeats instructions, refers to self as ‘you’
- Can have superficially good expressive speech
What are 6 forms of imposition of routines with ritualistic and repetitive behaviour that may be present in autism spectrum disorders?
- Imposition of routine on self and others, with violent temper tantrums if disrupted
- Unusual stereotypical movements such as hand flapping and tiptoe gait
- Concrete play
- Poverty of imagination in play and general activities
- Peculiar interests and repetitive adherence
- Restriction in behaviour repertoire
What are 4 possible comorbidities present in autism spectrum disorders?
- General learning and attention difficulties (about two thirds)
- Seizures (about one quarter, often not until adolescence)
- Affective disorders - anxiety, sleep disturbance
- Mental health disorders - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
What distinguishes the full spectrum autism disorder from autistic features?
Of only some autistic behaviours present, can be described as having autistic features but not full spectrum
What is Asperger syndrome?
Child with social impairments of autism spectrum disorder but at the milder-end, and near-normal speech development
What are 4 features typical of Asperger syndrome?
- Difficulties with ordinary social encounters
- Stilted way of speaking
- Narrow, unusual and often intense interests which they do not share with others
- Often clumsy
how are autism spectrum disorders diagnosed?
By assessing for specific features and seeing if they meet specific threshold according to Diagnostic and Statistical manual in the US (DSM5) or International Classification of Diseases (ICD10)
Diagnosed by observation of behaviour including use of formal standardised tests (Autism Diagnostic Interview, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders)
What are 3 standardised tests that can be used to diagnose autism?
- Autism Diagnostic Interview
- Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
- Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders
What is the cause of autism?
Many cases no specific cause identified but probably multiple aetiology with genetic component in some children
(Not due to emotional trauma or deviant parenting)
How might a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder affect the parents of the child?
Need a great deal of support as often feel initial guilt that they did not recognise problem earlier
