Week 0: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders

Question 1

What is Autism?

Answer 1

A neurodevelopmental condition

Question 2

What are three examples of social challenges children with ASD may experience? (Also known as core characteristics)

Answer 2

1) Social attention 2) Social Motivation 3) Responsiveness 4) Language 5) Conversation 6) Play & Leisure

Question 3

What are examples of having restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, activities?

Answer 3

1) Self stimulatory & repetitive behavior 2) Strong thematic interests 3) sensory interests & aversions 4) Routines & Rigidity 5) Aggression & Self-injury

Question 4

Aside from the main core characteristics, what else is common in Autism?

Answer 4

• Sensory concerns
  -Emotional Regulation challenges
• Aggression/disruptive behavior
• Anxiety & other mood disorders

Question 5

What does spectrum mean?

Answer 5

The spectrum refers to the severity of the child’s or adult’s experienced symptoms or/and the presence/absence of language difficulties & intellectual disability

Question 6

What are the strengths children with autism experience?

Answer 6

1) Knowledge & Expertise 2) Visual 3) Detail-Oriented 4) Honest & Open 5) Rule follower 6) Good memory

Question 7

What are some savant abilities individuals with ASD possess?

Answer 7

Mathematics, Visual-Spatial, Memory, and Thematic Knowledge are common areas

Question 8

What are the red flags about children with autism?

Answer 8

Delayed Speech
Limited Eye Contact
No response to name or another language
Repetitive/Unusual Play
Hand flapping
Toe-walking

Question 9

What are the DSM-5 criteria?

Answer 9

A. Social
B. Behavior
C. Functional Impairment
D. Early onset
E. NOT something else (e.g., can’t be explained by another medical or neurological condition, mental disorder)