what is pervasive developmental disorders?
impaired social interactions, abnormal language development and restricted behaviors
when do PDDs usually emerge?
before age 3
- noticed when language doesn’t develop properly
- displaying odd, repetitive behaviros
what is characteristic of autism?
impairment in social functioning and communication
-obsess over routines and having everything be the same each day
which gender is more likely to have autism?
boys
which chromosmal abn has an a/w autism?
fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis
what percentage of autistic children are also mentally retarded?
70%
what social impairments are present in autism?
unable to relate to others and share enjoyment
atypical expression and inability to recognize emotions that others are expressing
parent attachment is unusual and difficult to read
what communication impairments are present in autism?
inconsistent use of early preverbal communications
protoimperative vs protodeclarative
-use instrumental gestures rather than expressive
-pronoun reversals, echolalia
what is the cut-off age for language acquisition in autism?
5 yo, some begin to speak but regress around 12-30 months
what repetitive behaviors are present in autism?
hyperfocused on one area of interest
stereotyped body movements
self stimulatory behavior (hand flapping)
what is an autistic savant?
an area in which an autistic child excels…most common is dates
what is sensory dominance?
an autistic childs tendency to focus on one sensory input over others
what is stimulus overselectivity?
tendency to focus on one feature of an object or event in the evironment while ignoring other equally important features
what are common cognitive deficits in autism?
=do not understand pretend or engage in pretend play
- deficit in mentalization or theory of mind
- difficulty understanding others and their mental states
- do not understand false beliefs
what is the focus of autism therapy?
target behaviors to help with school and live independently
early detection and intensive therapy is important
what is Rett’s disorder?
developmental deterioration after a normal first 5 months
- decelerating head growth
- loss of social engagement
- loss of purposeful hand movements
- poor coordination of trunk
- impaired language
which gender is mostly affected by Rett’s?
females
what is prognosis of Rett’s?
poor, many do not walk
txment is aimed at avoiding self injury
what is childhood disintegrative disorder?
marked regression in several areas of functioning after two years of normal development
which gender is most affected by disintegrative d/o?
boys
what is prognosis of disintegrative d/o?
similar to autism (spectrum)
txment is similar also
what is asperger’s?
major difficulties in social interactions and unusual patterns of interest, with relatively intact cognitive and communication skills
