Psyc3330 Lecture 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder Overview

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Complex neurodevelopmental disorder with social communication deficits.

Dr. Leo Kanner

First described early infantile autism in 1943.

Preservation of sameness

Need for consistency in routines and environments.

Refrigerator parent

Debunked theory linking cold parenting to autism.

Echolalia

Repetition of phrases or sentences by children.

Pronoun reversal

Using incorrect pronouns in speech, common in ASD.

Dr. Hans Asperger

Identified milder autism form, later called Asperger's Disorder.

Pedantic speech

Overly formal or precise speech patterns in children.

Childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS)

Historically confused with autism, now distinct disorders.

Spectrum disorder

ASD includes a range of strengths and challenges.

Core deficits in ASD

Impairments in social communication and interaction.

Social-emotional reciprocity

Ability to respond emotionally in social contexts.

Non-verbal communication

Includes gestures and eye contact in interactions.

Stereotyped behaviors

Repetitive actions like lining up toys or phrases.

Insistence on sameness

Distress when routines or environments change.

Restricted interests

Intense focus on specific subjects, e.g., dinosaurs.

Sensory sensitivities

Overreaction to sensory stimuli like loud noises.

Developmental psychopathology model

Framework for understanding ASD's developmental aspects.

DSM-5-TR

Current diagnostic manual defining ASD criteria.

Delayed language acquisition

Late onset of language skills in autistic children.

Repetitive motor activities

Engagement in actions like hand-flapping or spinning.

ASD prevalence

91% of previous disorder diagnoses now meet ASD criteria.

Typical development vs. ASD

Some ASD behaviors overlap with early typical behaviors.

Developmental Milestones

Key indicators for typical child development.

ASD

Autism Spectrum Disorder; a range of developmental conditions.

DSM-5

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition.

Merged Disorders

Combining separate autism-related diagnoses into ASD.

Asperger's Disorder

Previously distinct diagnosis now included in ASD.

Severity Levels

Different intensities of symptoms within ASD.

Intellectual Ability

Cognitive capacity affecting ASD presentations.

Language Differences

Variations in communication skills among autistic individuals.

Behavior Changes with Age

Evolving behaviors as autistic children grow.

Delayed Development

Slower progression in reaching developmental milestones.

Social Cues

Nonverbal signals that indicate social interactions.

Rattle Play

Anjelica's fixation on a specific toy.

Jaundice Treatment

Medical care for newborns with yellowing skin.

Forceps Delivery

Assisted childbirth method used during Anjelica's birth.

Pediatrician Assessment

Evaluation by a child health specialist.

Special-Care Unit

Hospital area for monitoring high-risk newborns.

Non-Response to Games

Lack of engagement in interactive play.

Clicking Noise

Unique sound made by Anjelica, not typical speech.

Head Banging

Self-injurious behavior when distressed.

Interest in Odors

Heightened sensitivity to smells in autistic children.

Touch Sensitivity

Desire to feel textures, even from strangers.

Psychologist Referral

Recommendation for specialized assessment of autism.

Resource Allocation

Support provided to help autistic individuals adapt.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Neurodevelopmental disorder affecting social interaction and communication.

Echolalia

Repetitive speech patterns often seen in ASD.

Social-emotional reciprocity

Back-and-forth interaction in social contexts.

Nonverbal communication deficits

Challenges in eye contact and facial expressions.

Parallel play

Playing alongside others without direct interaction.

Speech therapy

Intervention to improve communication skills.

Spatial tasks

Activities like jigsaw puzzles indicating cognitive abilities.

Repetitive behaviors

Engaging in the same activity or sequence repeatedly.

Delayed speech development

Later than typical onset of verbal communication.

Independence in play

Preference for solitary activities over social ones.

Communication skills

Ability to express needs and engage socially.

Temper tantrums

Emotional outbursts often due to frustration.

Deficits in social interaction

Difficulty engaging with peers and understanding social cues.

Reduced eye contact

Less frequent visual engagement during interactions.

Neutral facial expressions

Limited emotional expression through facial movements.

Age of walking

Denzel walked at 12 months, typical development.

Age of speech onset

Denzel began speaking complete sentences at age 4.

Autistic characteristics

Specific traits observed in individuals with autism.

Child psychiatrist

Medical professional specializing in children's mental health.

Family dynamics

Interactions and relationships within a family context.

Cognitive level

Intellectual capacity influencing behavior and learning.

Behavioral intervention

Strategies to modify challenging behaviors in children.

Developmental milestones

Key stages of growth and skill acquisition in children.

Social Communication Differences

Challenges in adjusting behavior in social contexts.

Preverbal Communications

Early gestures before developing useful language.

Proto-imperative Gestures

Gestures used to request or demand.

Proto-declarative Gestures

Gestures used to share or comment.

Expressive Gestures

Gestures conveying feelings or emotions.

Pragmatic Language

Use of language in social contexts.

Repetitive Behaviours

High frequency and fixed manner of actions.

Echolalia

Repetition of phrases or sentences heard.

Perseverative Speech

Repetitive speech patterns without context.

Insistence on Sameness

Distress at small changes in routine.

Restricted Interests

Strong attachment to specific topics or objects.

Sensory Input Reactivity

Hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory stimuli.

ASD Prevalence

1 in 54 children diagnosed in the U.S.

Gender Differences in ASD

Higher prevalence in boys than girls.

Socioeconomic Status Impact

SES influences diagnosis timing and prevalence.

Racial Disparities in Diagnosis

Non-Hispanic white children diagnosed more frequently.

Comorbidity

Co-occurring psychiatric disorders with ASD.

Developmental Symptoms

Symptoms must appear early and cause impairment.

Diagnostic Criteria Changes

Better resources and awareness increased diagnoses.

Epidemic Concerns

No clear increase in prevalence from 1990-2010.

Early Development Symptoms

Symptoms must be present in early childhood.

Minority Underdiagnosis

Historically underdiagnosed in minority populations.

Alternative Diagnosis Prevalence

Black children often misdiagnosed before ASD.

Comorbid Disorder

Condition coexisting with another disorder.

Prevalence Rate

Percentage of individuals affected by a condition.

Anxiety Disorders

Common in individuals with ASD, affecting 78.9% younger.

Depression Rates

14.6% in young children, 48% lifetime in adults.

ADHD

59.1% of younger children with ASD also have ADHD.

ODD

28.7% prevalence in younger children with ASD.

Intellectual Abilities

44% of individuals with ASD have average intelligence.

Intellectual Disability

31% of children with ASD have an intellectual disability.