Autism Flashcards
Definition
A lifelong developmental disorder, characterized by impaired social interaction, social communication and social imagination ( the triad of impairments)
Incidence
Usually estimated at 1:110 children but a more recent survey (2009) states it may be as high as 157 per 10,000 (which is 1.5%) of children in the US
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Consists of 5 specific conditions:
Autism
Asperger’s syndrome
Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS)
*Rett Syndrome
*Childhood disintegrative disorder (Heller’s Syndrome)
*- most rare of the five
Individuality of Disorder
The characteristics vary between people and environmental factors that affect them
So it is important to address individual differences and plan care according to each person
Family is the best guide on what causes the stress and how to communicate
Environment
A major player in autism
When the person perceives the environment to be too stimulating and therefore distressing they try to protect themselves from that stimuli
They can communicate –verbally or non-verbally- in a calm, structured environment but may “shut down” and withdraw and refuse to engage in a stressful environment-called exposure anxiety
Autism and the Triad
Social interaction- difficult to make friends, unusual gestures, issues with social distance
Social communication- difficult to understand conversational clues, difficulty with concepts as “now” and “later”, may have a literal understanding of language, very concrete in understanding
Social imagination- play is learned and interests obsessive, difficult to accept change, or what is real and what is not
Asperger’s Syndrome and the Triad
Social interactions- Difficult to form and maintain relationships, or work cooperatively
Social communication- Difficult to process verbal information or understand jokes and sarcasm, facial expressions - feelings, approvals/nonapproval
Social imagination- difficult to cope with changes in routine, empathize, transfer learning from one situation to another
Other characteristics
Social Communication
Focus on details vs global views
Many will create systems that have patterns in numbers or events
Sensory Sensitivity
Responses involved are sound, vision, touch, taste, smell, proprioception and vestibular responses
Can experience pain as a result of an overstimulating environment
Touch is not always a good thing to them
Social Interaction
Will not learn “social rules” without explicit directions- maintaining social distance, taking turns in conversation, making friends, being part of group activities
Early Dx
Earlier diagnosis
Early intervention
mothers of sons and daughters with ASD had a higher proportion of days with headaches, backaches, muscle soreness, fatigue and hot flashes than mothers without disabilities
Lip Reading
as they started to speak they watched the mouth of the person speaking to them but when they became more comfortable with language they shifted to the eyes of the speaker
Previous research with children with ASD focused on the mouth up to 2 yrs. So the dx of at risk babies may come earlier by watching this early pattern
New Policy
The American Psychiatric Association is working on the revision of the DSM for release in 2013
Are considering a new definition for autism to stem the “autism epidemic” by clarifying definition
Propose that for related disorders (Aspergers, PDDNOS) would fall in to the ASD and they would have to meet new specific set of criteria to have the dx of autism
What can you do?
In your office: Maintain distance, speak and act slowly, try to keep the stimulation to a minimum, recognize the stress level of parents and family, be patient
Support your families and your patients in their efforts to maintain a quality life.
