Autism Spectrum disorder

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

problems in the area of social communication and interaction and restricted/repetitive pattern of thinking
there are a range of types and severities of presentations

Question 2

What are the triad of impairments?

• additional traits? (5)
• co-morbid conditions? (6)

Answer 2

Qualitative impairment in reciprocal social interaction
(hard to establish relationships)
Language impairment
(may have no speech, not understand non-verbal communication)
Thought and behaviour
(restricted, repetitive and stereotyped pattern of behaviour, interests and activities)

-Sound
Tactile, pain and temp
taste and texture of food
Visual 
smell 

-LD,depression, social anxiety
OCD, ADHD, dyspraxia

Question 3

How is it Diagnosed? (4)

-criteria?

Answer 3

screening- social responsiveness scale
interviews
ADOS

-need to exhibit at least 6 symptoms in total with atlas 2 of social interaction and one each of the other ones

Question 4

Pathogenesis?

Answer 4

strongly heritable:
no single gene
no clear pathological mechanism

Question 5

Management

• aim?
• pharmacological? (3)

Answer 5

-to lessen assoc deficits and fam distress and to increase QOL and functional independence

-target SEs
risperidone short term for aggression
Methylphenidate-ADHD symptoms
Melatonin- sleep probs