Autism

Question 1

autism spectrum disorders

Answer 1

• a group of disorders that are characterized by difficulties in social relationships, communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests
• autism, childhood disintegrative disorder, asperger’s syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder
• current numbers: over 8 years = 1 in 36 (varies widely, no racial/cultural differences, may be differences on identification)

Question 2

past causes of autism

Answer 2

• refrigerator mothers (no emotional attachment)
• toxins, allergies
• vaccines (thought it was MMR shot)
• genetic

Question 3

past treatment

Answer 3

• medication
• behavioral treatment
• autism specific treatment
• many, many new ideas

Question 4

DSM 5 criteria

Answer 4

• social communication/interaction deficits
• restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities
• symptoms present in early childhood
• symptoms cause impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of current functioning
• not explained by another disability/delay

Question 5

social communication/interaction (meet all 3)

Answer 5

• social-emotional reciprocity (are you ok? if tears)
• nonverbal communicative behaviors (facial expression, eye contact)
• developing, maintaining, understanding relationships (big age gap in friends)

Question 6

restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities (meet 2)

Answer 6

• stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech (lining things up, echolalia = repeating)
• insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines, or ritualized patterns of verbal or nonverbal behavior
• fixed interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus
• hyper/hypo reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of environment

Question 7

social (pragmatic) communication disorder

Answer 7

• difficulties in social use of verbal/nonverbal communication (social communication, flexibility in communication, conversational rules, inferences/non-literal language)
• functional limitations in effective communication, social participation/relationships, academic achievement, or occupational performance
• onset of symptoms is in early development period

Question 8

genetic factors

Answer 8

twin studies: 70% chance if 1 twin has it

Question 9

risk factors of autism

Answer 9

• boys have higher chance
• manic depression increases
• 100 genes carrying information
• psychiatric medication in moms
• severe obesity/pregnancy weight gain

Question 10

autism brain differences

Answer 10

• MRI shows 6% larger brain volume at 2 years
• gyri/sulci more folding
• week 3 of pregnancy: different organization of brain cells (tested on babies who’ve passed)