L19: ASD

Which of the following best describes the evolution of autism diagnosis from DSM-IV to DSM-5?

A child with ASD is observed to become intensely focused on the spinning wheels of a toy car, largely ignoring its other features and intended use. According to the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder, this behavior primarily aligns with which of the following?

A researcher is designing a study to investigate sensory processing differences in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Which experimental paradigm would best isolate and measure 'Modified sensory reactivity' as defined in Criterion B of the DSM-5 ASD diagnostic criteria?

In the context of assessing social communication deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which of the following scenarios most directly illustrates a deficit in 'social-emotional reciprocity' as defined by DSM-5?

A 5-year-old child consistently uses phrases and sentences spoken by others in movies or conversations, often out of context. While echolalia can be a typical phase in language development, in the context of assessing for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), how is this behavior best interpreted?

During an ADOS assessment, a child with suspected ASD is presented with a 'birthday party' scenario involving dolls and pretend cake. Which of the following observed behaviors would provide the strongest evidence for a deficit in 'developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships' as per DSM-5 criteria?

A teenager with ASD describes a social interaction as "the shapes bouncing off each other" rather than attributing intentions or emotions to the individuals involved. This description primarily illustrates a difficulty with which of the following?

A researcher is evaluating the effectiveness of a new intervention designed to improve Theory of Mind (ToM) skills in children with ASD. Which assessment task would be most appropriate for measuring ToM development?

A child with ASD frequently engages in self-stimulatory behaviors, such as hand-flapping, especially when in a new or overwhelming environment. Which theoretical perspective provides the most comprehensive explanation for this behavior?

An adult diagnosed with Social Communication Disorder (SCD) is likely to experience the most significant challenges in which of the following everyday scenarios?

A researcher aims to differentiate between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social Communication Disorder (SCD) in a group of children with social communication difficulties. Which diagnostic feature would be most critical in distinguishing ASD from SCD?

During an assessment, a clinician observes a child with suspected ASD displaying difficulties in using and understanding gestures, along with reduced eye contact and limited facial expressions. According to the DSM-5 criteria, these observations primarily indicate deficits in which area?

A team is developing a comprehensive assessment plan for a young child suspected of having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Considering the recommended best practices, which combination of assessment tools would provide the most thorough evaluation?

A therapist is working with a child with ASD who exhibits extreme distress when even slight changes occur in their daily routine. According to the DSM-5, this behavior falls under which diagnostic criterion?

An individual with ASD consistently struggles to understand jokes, sarcasm, or figurative language. This difficulty primarily reflects an impairment in what aspect of communication?

Considering the historical context surrounding the term 'Asperger's Disorder,' what is the primary reason for the growing preference to avoid using this term in clinical and research settings?

A researcher is investigating the prevalence of autism traits within families. Which finding would provide the strongest evidence supporting the concept of autism as a dimensional spectrum?

During an ADI-R interview, a parent reports that their child with ASD exhibits a profound indifference to pain and temperature, often failing to react to minor injuries or extreme weather conditions. According to the DSM-5 criteria, this behavior primarily indicates which of the following?

Which of the following best illustrates an example of perseverative speech in a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

A clinician is assessing a child for potential Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). Which of the following 'presses' within the ADOS is specifically designed to elicit behaviors related to reciprocal social interaction?

A researcher is investigating the neural mechanisms underlying stimming behaviors in individuals with ASD. Which neurobiological factor would most likely be implicated in the maintenance of these repetitive behaviors?

A child with ASD demonstrates significant deficits in 'joint attention.' In what scenario is this deficit most likely to be observed?

Compared to individuals diagnosed with Social Communication Disorder (SCD), individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are more likely to exhibit:

A clinician is using the ADOS to assess a child for ASD. During a 'bubble-blowing' activity, the child shows no interest in the bubbles, does not make eye contact with the examiner, and repetitively flicks their fingers. Which combination of DSM-5 criteria does this behavior most directly address?

A researcher is investigating the potential genetic overlap between ASD and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Which of the following findings would provide the strongest support for shared genetic vulnerability?

An individual diagnosed with ASD demonstrates an exceptional ability to recall and recite detailed information about a highly specific topic, but struggles to apply this knowledge to solve practical problems or engage in reciprocal social interactions. This pattern of abilities and deficits is most consistent with:

A therapist is working with a teenager with ASD who exhibits significant difficulties in understanding the intentions and motivations of others. Which intervention strategy would be most directly targeting the development of Theory of Mind (ToM) skills?

A researcher is conducting a study to examine the effectiveness of a novel intervention for improving social communication skills in adults with ASD. Which outcome measure would provide the most ecologically valid assessment of the intervention's impact on real-world social functioning?

During an assessment, a child with suspected ASD demonstrates the ability to use single words to label objects but struggles to combine words into meaningful phrases or sentences. According to diagnostic criteria, this child is most likely exhibiting difficulties in:

A child with ASD consistently uses phrases and sentences from movies in conversations, often out of context. While echolalia can be a typical phase in language development, in the context of assessing for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), how is this behavior best interpreted?

What is the primary reason for the growing preference to avoid using the term 'Asperger's Disorder' in clinical and research settings?

According to the DSM-5 criteria, during an ADI-R interview, a parent reports that their child with ASD exhibits a profound indifference to pain and temperature, often failing to react to minor injuries or extreme weather conditions, indicating which of the following?

A therapist is working with a child with ASD to improve their ability to engage in reciprocal social interactions. Which of the following intervention strategies would be most directly targeting the development of social-emotional reciprocity?

Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies a deficit in 'developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships' as per DSM-5 criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

A child with ASD exhibits a strong preference for sameness and becomes highly distressed when their routine is disrupted. From a behavioral perspective, what is the most likely function of this insistence on sameness?

During an ADI-R interview, a parent reports that their child with ASD has a history of responding to their name inconsistently and infrequently, even when there are no apparent distractions. This behavior is most indicative of deficits in what area?

Which statement regarding stimming and self-stimulatory behaviors is most accurate?

Which assessment tool relies heavily on eliciting specific behaviors through structured and semi-structured activities?

What key information is gathered from the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R)?