Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Overview

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• ASD is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others.
• Prevalence of autism is about 1 in 100 children, often showing up during a child's first 3 years of life.
• Each child with ASD has a unique pattern of behavior and severity, ranging from low to high functioning.
• Children with ASD often struggle with social interaction and communication, finding it challenging to understand social cues, express emotions, and engage in reciprocal conversations.
• Repetitive behaviors, such as hand-flapping, rocking, or fixating on specific interests, are common in ASD and provide comfort but can interfere with daily life.
• Many children with ASD have heightened sensitivities to sensory stimuli, becoming overwhelmed or distressed by certain sensory experiences.
• Understanding individual challenges and strengths will guide the approach to care for children with ASD, as abilities and needs of autistic individuals vary and support should be tailored to each person's unique profile.

Disturbances and Comorbidities in Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Disturbances are prevalent among those with autism, impacting overall well-being and behavior, and it is highly comorbid in children with ASD.
• Clinicians are advised to screen for comorbidities in every visit.
• ADHD often coexists with ASD, affecting attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
• Aripiprazole (Abilify) and Risperidone (Risperdal) are examples of medications that help manage irritability, aggression, and repetitive behaviors in children with ASD.
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin) and Amphetamine (Adderall) are stimulants that can address symptoms like hyperactivity and impulsivity, which may coexist with ASD.
• Venlafaxine (Effexor) is an antidepressant that may be used to manage anxiety, depression, or mood disturbances in children with ASD.
• Lithium and Valproic Acid (Depakote) are mood stabilizers that help regulate mood swings and aggressive behavior.
• Lamotrigine (Lamictal) and Topiramate (Topamax) are examples of medications that can address seizures, which are more prevalent in individuals with ASD.
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like Fluoxetine (Prozac) may be used to manage anxiety and repetitive behaviors.

Childhood Schizophrenia

• Childhood schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder that emerges before a child turns 13.
• It involves delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and reductions in motivation and emotional expression.
• Symptoms can vary in type and severity over time, with periods of worsening and remission.
• Some symptoms may always be present.
• Childhood-onset schizophrenia has a poorer outcome compared to adult-onset cases.
• Early detection, prompt diagnosis, and effective treatment are crucial for managing childhood schizophrenia.
• Anxiety, depression, epilepsy, gastrointestinal disorders, sleep disorders, and ADHD are common comorbidities with childhood schizophrenia.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Intellectual Disabilities

• Conduct disorders involve persistent patterns of aggressive, defiant, and antisocial behavior.
• Bipolar Disorder (BPD) often coexists with schizophrenia and rates of comorbidity between schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are substantial.
• Intellectual disability (ID), also known as general learning disability, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant impairment in intellectual and adaptive functioning.
• Individuals with ID often need assistance throughout their lives to manage daily tasks.
• The prevalence of intellectual disability increased with age, from 1.39% for children aged 3–7 years to 2.35% for children aged 13–17 years.
• Black children were more likely to be diagnosed with an intellectual disability (2.82%) than Hispanic (1.77%), White (1.76%), and Asian (0.72%) children.
• The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children is the most widely used test of intelligence for children aged 6 through 16 years.
• DSM-5 Criteria for ID include deficits in intellectual functioning, measured by IQ tests with a score typically around 70 or below, and deficits in adaptive functioning, such as skills needed for independent living and daily life tasks.

Recognizing and Addressing Mental Health and Developmental Disorders in Children

• Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses characterized by unhealthy relationships with food and concerns about weight.
• Common types of eating disorders in children include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
• Medical consequences of eating disorders include rapid weight change, low heart rate, hormone imbalances, and fatigue.
• Assessment for eating disorders involves physical and psychological signs, and collaboration with medical professionals and mental health specialists.
• Anxiety is a normal part of childhood, but anxiety disorders occur when worries or fears interfere with a child’s life for more than six months.
• Up to 1 in 5 kids will develop what healthcare providers consider anxiety disorders, with symptoms including difficulty breathing, avoidance, and concentration problems.
• John Bowlby's attachment theory suggests that early experiences with caregivers profoundly impact relationship skills as adults.
• Attachment theory proposes that secure attachments provide comfort and security during distress, while insecure attachments can lead to anxiety, avoidance, and difficulties in forming meaningful relationships later in life.