Characteristics of ASD (10)

Question 1

What are the two main categories for ASD symptoms?

Answer 1

-Social Communication and Interaction Deficits

-Repetitive Behaviours and Restricted Interests

Question 2

What THREE Symptoms fall under Social Communication and Interaction Deficits?

Answer 2

1. Social-Emotional Reciprocity
2. Non-Verbal Communication
3. Developing and Maintaining Relationships

Question 3

What is Social-Emotional Reciprocity?

Answer 3

-Difficulty in the back-and-forth flow of communication.

Question 4

What are the (3) challenges resultant of Social-Emotional Reciprocity?

Answer 4

-Struggle to initiate or respond in conversations.

-Conversations may be one-sided.

-Inappropriate responses (e.g., touching or licking).

Question 5

What are (3) challenges resultant of Non-Verbal Communication AND what does this mean?

Answer 5

Facial Expressions: Used rarely/ inappropriately, may not match the conversation’s content.

Non-Verbal Cues: Pointing, nodding, or gestures out of context.

Personal Space Issues: Sitting too close / turning away during conversations.

Question 6

What are (3) challenges resultant of Developing and Maintaining Relationships AND what does this mean?

Answer 6

-Perspective-Taking: Difficulty seeing world from others’ viewpoints.

Unawareness of Social Rules: EG: Asking personal questions to strangers.

Non-Verbal Cues: Struggles to recognize discomfort in others, leading to difficulty forming friendships.

Question 7

What FOUR Symptoms fall under Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests?

Answer 7

1. Repetitive Behavior Patterns
2. Routines, Rituals, and Resistance to Change
3. Restricted and Fixed Interests
4. Unusual Reactions to Sensory Input

Question 8

What does Repetitive Behaviour Patterns include?

Answer 8

-Echolalia: Repeating what has just been heard.

-Formal Language: Overly formal (called “Little Professor Syndrome”).

-Physical Repetitions: Hand gestures, spinning, rocking.

-Repetitive use of objects (e.g., lining up toys)

Question 9

What does Routines, Rituals, and Resistance to Change include (4)?

Answer 9

Rigidity: Strong resistance to changes in routine.

Verbal Rituals: Repetitive speech patterns.

Reactions to Change: Overreactions if routines are disrupted (e.g., late breakfast).

Difficulty recognising Sarcasm/Irony as they break conversational norms

Question 10

What is Restricted and Fixed Interests?

Answer 10

-Intense Focus: Preoccupation with narrow interests.
EG: Fixation on a specific toy, object, or topic.