Autism Spectrum Disorder Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is one of the characteristics commonly observed in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Intense preference for the status quo (correct)

Inability to perform mathematical calculations

Preference for change and new experiences

Displeasure in structured tasks

Which of the following statements about the prevalence of ASD is true?

Only developed countries report cases of ASD

The expected diagnosis age for ASD is 16 years

The prevalence of ASD is uniform across all countries

ASD affects more males than females at a ratio of 1:4 (correct)

What type of academic subjects do individuals with ASD often excel in?

Physical education and sports

Arts and literature

Humanities and social sciences

Math and science (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a suggested reason for the male to female ratio in ASD diagnoses?

Females are less likely to receive any diagnosis at all Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of ASD is emphasized in the content regarding individuals with ASD?

Individuals with ASD can display a range of strengths and abilities Signup and view all the answers

What is social cognition primarily concerned with?

Knowledge of perceptions, ideas, and intentions of others Signup and view all the answers

Which brain region is associated with the mirror neuron system?

Cingulate cortex and insula Signup and view all the answers

What relationship has been observed in individuals with ASD regarding their mirror neuron system?

Lower MNS activity correlates with the severity of disorder Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy?

Importance of play and natural consequences as rewards Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about mirror neurons is accurate?

They might respond to implied actions behind barriers. Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe the repetition of speech and intonation of others often observed in individuals with autism?

Echolalia Signup and view all the answers

Approximately what fraction of individuals with autism never acquire speech?

1/3 Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of social cognition refers to the ability to understand that others have different thoughts and feelings?

Theory of Mind Signup and view all the answers

Children with autism may have an overly literal understanding of language. Which of the following is a challenge they face as a result?

Understanding puns Signup and view all the answers

In individuals with autism, behaviors termed as stereotypies are primarily associated with which function?

Sensory self-stimulation Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the inability of low functioning ASD children to understand the mental states of others?

Theory of Mind Signup and view all the answers

High functioning children with autism may lack which aspect of emotional understanding?

Actual sense or feeling of emotion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT typically a characteristic behavior observed in individuals with autism?

Elaborate storytelling Signup and view all the answers

What is the concordance rate for ASD in monozygotic twins?

36-91% Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT considered an environmental risk factor for ASD?

Genetic predisposition Signup and view all the answers

What role does the gut microbiome play in relation to autism?

It can influence brain function. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is associated with increased risk of developing ASD?

Advanced maternal age Signup and view all the answers

Vaccines have been:

Ruled out as causes of autism. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common medical comorbidity associated with ASD?

Immune dysregulation Signup and view all the answers

Which combination of genetic factors is relevant to ASD?

Multigenic contributions and de novo mutations Signup and view all the answers

The relationship between maternal diet and autism risk is primarily associated with:

Deficient essential nutrients Signup and view all the answers

What primarily shapes the composition of microbiota?

Genetics and environmental factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary issue with brain connectivity in individuals with autism?

Overall under-connectivity with local over-connectivity Signup and view all the answers

According to the Extreme Male Brain Theory, autism is characterized as an extreme example of which profile?

Logical and systematic thinking Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is correlated with prenatal testosterone exposure?

Reduced eye contact and performance on mind-reading tasks Signup and view all the answers

Where were mirror neurons initially discovered?

In the premotor cortex Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the early brain development in individuals with autism?

Early brain overgrowth Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following traits is NOT commonly associated with autism according to the content provided?

High social interaction skills Signup and view all the answers

Which system is suggested to provide a neurobiological basis for social cognition?

The mirror neuron system Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

It affects how a person acts, communicates, and interacts. Signup and view all the answers

What was the classification change for Asperger’s syndrome in the DSM5?

It was incorporated into Autism Spectrum Disorder. Signup and view all the answers

At what age are autism spectrum disorders typically first recognized?

During the second year of life. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the three major areas of difficulty in autism spectrum disorders?

Impaired emotional regulation. Signup and view all the answers

What pattern do parents often report regarding their child's development before autism is recognized?

Normal development until a certain point followed by decline. Signup and view all the answers

What is the grading scale of impairment for Autism Spectrum Disorder according to the DSM5?

1 - 5, with 1 being the least supportive needs. Signup and view all the answers

The misconception linking vaccines to autism is mostly based on what observation?

The timing of vaccinations coincides with developmental decline. Signup and view all the answers

How does the intensity of symptoms vary among individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Symptoms can vary in intensity from low to high levels. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

ASD is a neurological and developmental disorder
Begins in childhood and persists throughout life
Symptoms vary significantly between individuals
Symptoms intensity varies, ranging from low to high sensitivities
ASD affects how people act, interact, communicate, and learn

The Autism Spectrum and DSM-5

Prior to DSM-5, individuals on the autism spectrum were diagnosed differently. Those with higher functioning were classified as having Asperger's syndrome.
DSM-5 grouped Asperger's syndrome and high-functioning autism into different levels of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
ASD diagnosis now uses functional impairment grading (e.g., Requires very substantial support to Requires support)

Clinical Description of ASD

ASD typically develops during early childhood (often first recognized around the age of 2).
Development may seem normal up to 12 months, followed by a sudden decline
No relationship has been confirmed between vaccines and autism
ASD is characterized by three primary areas of difficulty:
- Impaired communication
- Impaired social interaction
- Restricted behaviors, interests, and activities

Impaired Communication

Communication difficulties or delays are nearly universal in people with autism
Language abilities vary widely, from extremely high levels to no speech acquisition.
Approximately 1/3 of individuals with autism never develop speech.
Echolalia (repeating others' speech or intonation) is a common communication pattern in ASD.
Individuals may have specific verbal abilities (e.g., recognizing the alphabet) but struggle with others (e.g., their own name).
Abstract language (e.g., metaphors, analogies) may be difficult to understand.

Social cognition (thinking about oneself and others in social interactions) may be impaired
Difficulty with social perceptions may include recognizing the importance of different aspects of events
Individuals with ASD may have trouble differentiating between social and non-social aspects of events

Theory of Mind

An impairment in attributing mental states (thoughts, beliefs, and intentions) to oneself or others can affect social interaction
Affected individuals may struggle to understand another person's internal experience, influencing how they interact with others
Individuals with low functioning ASD do not typically have theory of mind

Affective social competence is how individuals coordinate emotional experiences, message sending and reception and read emotional cues from others
Individuals with lower functioning ASD are less able to perform these tasks effectively.

Restricted Behavior

Individuals with ASD show repetitive and seemingly pointless behaviors (stereotypies)
These stereotypies can also be categorized as stimming, self-stimulation with the aim to soothe sensory experiences, etc.
Behaviors can be self-injurious
Prefers familiarity and consistency in routine & environment

ASD is NOT a Weakness

Individuals with ASD display a wide range of strengths and abilities
Exceptional talents in math, science, and problem-solving are common in some individuals with ASD

Prevalence of ASD

Prevalence rates vary across demographics and geographic locations.
A consistent ratio is 4 males to each female with ASD

Etiology of ASD: Genetics

ASD is highly heritable
Monozygotic twins have a higher concordance rate (36-91%) than dizygotic twins (0-5%)
Genetics contribute significantly to ASD
Many genes likely play a role, with possibly thousands already identified
ASD-related genes frequently overlap with genes associated with other neuropsychiatric conditions and intellectual disability
Vaccines are NOT a cause of autism

Autism and Vaccines

Studies have shown no link between vaccines and autism.

Autism: Environmental Risk Factors

Maternal diet (deficient in essential nutrients)
Folic acid status
Maternal smoking/drug/alcohol exposure during pregnancy
Maternal infection during pregnancy
Maternal low education level
Air pollutants
Socioeconomic status
Advanced maternal/paternal age

The Microbiome

Gut microbiota encompasses microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi), in the gastrointestinal tract
The Gut-Brain Axis relates to how the gut microbiome influences brain function
Symptoms and behaviors associated with autism may be affected by the gut microbiome

Autism and Medical Comorbidities

Immune dysregulation and gastrointestinal issues are frequently seen in people with ASD
Post-mortem studies show increased microglial activation and higher levels of inflammatory cytokines in individuals with ASD
Prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders is higher in people with autism (e.g., diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain)

Emerging Links to Gut Dysbiota

Mouse models of ASD and maternal immune activation show impaired social communication and repetitive behaviours
Disturbances in gut and immune functions are interconnected with ASD
Gut microbiome composition is dependent on genetics and is affected by external conditions

Neurobiology of Autism

ASD is not a focal impairment, but rather a complex condition affecting overall brain development and reorganization
Accelerated brain development in early life (early brain overgrowth), leading to atypical connectivity patterns within the frontal and occipital areas
Morphological abnormalities at the microstructural level are also observed in autistic individuals

Extreme Male Brain Theory

Sex-linked variations exist in brain function, like logical/systematic thinking vs. relational empathy
Autism is an extreme expression of a "normal" male cognitive profile
Prenatal testosterone exposure may play a role

Prenatal Testosterone

Prenatal testosterone correlates with several psychological attributes
Eye contact at 12 months is linked to prenatal testosterone exposure
Males typically show reduced eye contact, which can be amplified with higher prenatal testosterone levels.
This reduced eye-contact trait is also part of the spectrum of autism.
Prenatal testosterone appears to decrease performance on "mind-reading" tasks

The Mirror Neuron System

Mirror neurons fire during an action and when observing the same action performed by someone else.
Important for understanding social interactions, and empathy, in healthy individuals.
Evidence suggests mirror neuron systems are less efficient in people with ASD

Do individuals with ASD have a dysfunctional Mirror Neuron system?

fMRI studies with tasks requiring observation and imitation suggest reduced mirror neuron system activity in people with ASD.
This deficit may correlate with the severity of the ASD disorder.

Autism: Current Therapeutic Advances

Primarily focused on behavior-based therapies (e.g., ABA). No existing pharmaceutical interventions (except for those for other conditions that may be comorbid with ASD).
Play, social interaction, and communication initiation, that are naturally rewarding, are emphasized during therapy
ABA uses the principles of learning and emphasizes consequences to shape behavior

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including its definition, symptoms, and how it is classified in the DSM-5. Learn about the variations in symptoms and the developmental aspects of ASD from childhood onward.