Topic 3.1 ASD Autism Spectrum Disorder

Question 1

Neurodevelopmental condition

Answer 1

condition caused by a combination of genes, brain biology, and environment, leading to differences in how a person functions and behaves.

Question 2

DSM

Answer 2

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Question 3

DSM - 5

Answer 3

2013 update

Question 4

50% intellectual disability.

Answer 4

characterized by significant challenges in cognitive abilities and daily living skills, often with an IQ score below 70.

Question 5

Kanner’s autism

Answer 5

a form of autism with severe challenges in social communication, limited speech, repetitive behaviors, and intellectual disability.

Question 6

Asperger syndrome,

Answer 6

describes “high-functioning autism,” a term used for autistic individuals with average or above-average intelligence and good language skills.

Question 7

co-morbidity.

Answer 7

common term for the co-occurrence of conditions

Question 8

Biomarker

Answer 8

a measurable biological, genetic, pathological or physical characteristic by which a particular condition or disorder can be reliably identified.

Question 9

ICD

Answer 9

e International Classification of Diseases (ICD) - WHO global classification

Question 10

NAP-C)

Answer 10

The National Autism Plan for Children (NAP-C) is a UK voluntary framework containing guideline recommendations

Question 11

ADI-R

Answer 11

the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R).

Question 12

the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)

Answer 12

4 module diagnostic process

Question 13

Prevalence

Answer 13

The proportion of people with a condition, symptom, injury or illness within a defined population at a particular time (also referred to as prevalence rate).

Question 14

Incidence

Answer 14

number newly diagnosed per 1,000 or 10,000

Question 15

epidemiological studies

Answer 15

observational studies looking at causes

Question 16

systematic review

Answer 16

a literature review, where researchers analyze existing studies on a topic to draw conclusions and identify gaps in knowledge.

Question 17

meta-analysis

Answer 17

a research method that statistically combines the results of multiple studies on a specific topic.

Question 18

Autism is caused by

Answer 18

a complex interplay of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors.

Question 19

Extraneous variable

Answer 19

All variables that are present in an experimental study that are not the variables under investigation or being measured.

Question 20

Confounding variable

Answer 20

These are extraneous variables in experiments that may affect the dependent variable, such that clear conclusions about the relationship between the independent and dependent variables cannot be drawn.

Question 21

Statistically significant

Answer 21

A term used after the application of a statistical test to denote the fact that any measured results from an experiment or study are unlikely to have occurred by chance.

Question 22

ToM

Answer 22

Theory of Mind: The ability to understand other people’s mental states

Question 23

protodeclarative pointing

Answer 23

a social communication skill used to share interest in something, which may be absent in children with autism.

Question 24

EF

Answer 24

Executive Function: A collective term for mental processes that control behaviour. Autism - perseverating.

Question 25

Behavioural Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)

Answer 25

A survey tool designed to measure executive function skills used in everyday settings and tasks.

Question 26

EQ

Answer 26

empathy quotient (EQ): A questionnaire-based measure of empathy

Question 27

SQ

Answer 27

systemising Quotient (SQ): A questionnaire-based measure of systemising. Autistic are likely to have a higher score than neurotypical.

Question 28

monotropism

Answer 28

A trait in autism in which an individual focuses their attention on objects and topics that are of particular interest to the individual.

Question 29

heritability

Answer 29

means the proportion of phenotypic variation across a population which is due to genetic variation.

Question 30

broader autism phenotype

Answer 30

Milder manifestation of traits typical for autism, but not to the extent of meeting the diagnostic criteria. This pattern is sometimes seen in relatives of autistic individuals.

Question 31

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)

Answer 31

Multiple SNPs could be working together to Autism. Differences in a single nucleotide in a specific sequence of DNA that occur within a population.

Question 32

Copy number variants (CNVs)

Answer 32

Differences in the number of particular sequences of DNA within the genome. Variation in number arises from deletion, insertion or duplication of sequences of DNA.

Question 33

de novo mutations,

Answer 33

65 genes with mutations strongly implicated in autism. age of father related.

Question 34

candidate genes

Answer 34

Genes whose functions, or locations on particular chromosomes, indicate that they might be associated with a condition or disorder.

Question 35

synaptic pruning

Answer 35

A process in brain development where the synaptic connections established in fetal and early development are subsequently reduced in number.

Question 36

association cortex

Answer 36

Regions located within all lobes of the cortex that, through their interlinking, support high level integrative activities such as comparing sensory inputs to stored memories.