Autism and Childhood Neurodevelopmental Disorders

9 Questions

What are some early signs of autism that can be observed at 6 months of age?

Few or no big smiles or other warm, joyful engaging expressions; Limited or no eye contact

At what age can autism be diagnosed according to the information provided?

Before age 2 ½ years old

What are some characteristics of autism as mentioned in the content?

All of the above

Children with autism have difficulty differentiating themselves from the environment.

True

Children with autism have an obsessive desire for ______.

sameness

Match the Level of Mental Retardation with its corresponding I.Q range and characteristics:

Mild = 50-70 Moderate = 35-49 Severe = 20-34 Profound = Below 20

What is one of the causes of ADHD in children mentioned in the content?

Lower activity in certain brain areas resulting in inattention

ADHD affects 3-5% of all children.

True

What are some assessment characteristics of ADHD as mentioned in the content?

Inattention, Hyperactivity, Impulsivity

Study Notes

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Autism

Difficulty communicating, incomprehensible, and echolalia
Don't want to be hugged; usually stiffen when held
Unable to differentiate self from the environment; talks about himself in third person
Difficulty learning expressive communication, may exhibit echolalia or mutism
No eye contact, engaged in self-stimulated acts, and plays alone for hours
Turning to inanimate objects; attachment to inanimate object
Obsessive desire for sameness, and may exhibit self-mutilation
Head banging, tantrums, spinning, and running around
Boys are more likely to be affected than girls (1:100 kids)
Presents at birth or soon after birth, diagnosed before age 2½ years old

Causes of Autism

Genetics
Vaccines
Environment
Neurotransmitter abnormality
Structural brain abnormality

Characteristics of Autism

Echolalia
Poor eye contact
Can't express verbally
Track in his own world

Early Signs of Autism

6 months: few or no big smiles, limited or no eye contact
9 months: little or no back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or facial expressions
12 months: little or no babbling, no back-and-forth gestures like pointing, showing, reaching, or waving
16 months: very few or no words
24 months: very few or no meaningful, two-word phrases

Mental Retardation

Below average intellectual functioning accompanied by significant limitation in adaptive functioning
Onset: before 18 years old
Causes: maternal infection, exact gestational age not reached (premature), nutritional deficiency, toxoplasmosis, anoxia, lead poisoning, measles, environmental factors, thyroid deficiency, and AIDS

Assessment of Autism

A - Appearance: neat, obsessive-compulsive, wants constancy, flat affect
B - Behavior: ritualistic behavior, repetitive, and may exhibit self-mutilation

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Characterized by inappropriate degrees of inattention, overactivity, and impulsivity
Also known as "HYPERKINESIS" or "Minimal Brain Syndrome"
Can progress to conduct disorder to antisocial behavior
Onset: 7 years old and below, duration: 6 months and above
Affects 3-5% of all children, 3-4 times more common in boys than girls

Etiology of ADHD

Lower level of activity in some parts of the brain
Mother's use of cigarette, alcohol, or other drugs during pregnancy
Tends to run in families → genetic influence
Decrease dopamine

Assessment of ADHD

A - Dirty
B - Clumsy, impatient, no focus, easily distracted, hyperactive
C - Talkative
Inattention: hard time keeping their mind on any one thing
Hyperactivity: always seen to be in motion, can't sit still
Impulsivity: do not seem to think before they act