Flashcards ASD Assessment and Intervention

What are the three diagnostic domains in DSM-IV?

1. Social interaction deficits 2. Communication impairments 3. Restricted and repetitive behaviors.

What are the two key diagnostic domains in DSM-V?

1. Social communication 2. Restricted and repetitive behaviors.

What is the major difference between DSM-IV and DSM-V?

DSM-IV had three separate diagnostic domains, while DSM-V combined social interaction and communication into one social communication domain.

What happened to Asperger's syndrome and PDD-NOS in DSM-V?

They were eliminated as separate diagnoses and incorporated into the autism spectrum.

What did DSM-V introduce regarding severity?

Severity levels and support needs.

What are at least five social communication challenges associated with ASD?

Limited eye contact, few/no gestures, difficulty with joint attention, difficulty initiating conversation, difficulty maintaining conversation, difficulty taking conversational turns, difficulty staying on topic, and difficulty responding to social cues.

What is social communication?

Verbal and nonverbal interaction used to communicate and interact socially.

What are examples of nonverbal social communication?

Gestures, facial expressions, body posture, and eye contact.

What is joint attention?

Sharing attention or interest with another person toward the same object or event.

What are three examples of joint attention?

Pointing, showing, and shifting gaze to share interest.

What joint attention difficulties may individuals with ASD have?

They may not initiate or respond to joint attention cues.

Why is joint attention important?

It is a critical early social skill, and deficits in joint attention can be associated with language development challenges.

What are conventional gestures?

Socially recognized gestures, such as waving.

What are instrumental gestures?

Gestures used to obtain something or accomplish a goal, such as reaching for an object.

What are descriptive gestures?

Gestures used to show or describe something, such as pointing or demonstrating size or shape.

What gestures may be underused or absent in children with ASD?

Pointing, waving, and reaching.

What is prosody?

Pitch, intonation, and rhythm of speech.

How may speech sound different in some individuals with ASD?

Speech may sound monotone, robotic, or sing-songy, with unusual rhythm or limited variation.

What conversational difficulties may individuals with ASD experience?

Difficulty initiating or maintaining conversation, taking turns, staying on topic, and understanding or using conversational rules.

What is social reciprocity?

Responding to others and sharing experiences.

What social reciprocity difficulties may individuals with ASD have?

They may not notice or respond to social cues or may have difficulty adjusting behavior based on others' reactions.

What is Theory of Mind?

The ability to understand that other people have their own thoughts, feelings, beliefs, intentions, and perspectives.

Why is Theory of Mind important for social communication?

It helps a person understand other people's perspectives, interpret social cues, and interact successfully with others.

What is the connection between gestures and language development?

Gestures and joint attention are early communication skills that support language development. Difficulties with these skills can be associated with language development challenges.

What are two examples of social communication treatment goals?

Increase spontaneous requesting during play and increase joint attention through pointing, showing, or shifting gaze.

What are examples of activities to increase requesting?

Place desired toys/items where the child can see them and encourage the child to request using words, gestures, or another communication method.

What are examples of activities to increase joint attention?

Use an interesting toy or activity and encourage the child to point, show, or shift their gaze to share attention.

What are four formal ASD assessment tools?

ADOS, ADI-R, M-CHAT-R/F, and CARS.

What does ADOS stand for?

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule.

What does ADI-R stand for?

Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised.

What does M-CHAT-R/F stand for?

Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers.

What does CARS stand for?

Childhood Autism Rating Scale.

What are four informal ASD assessment techniques?

Parent/caregiver interviews, naturalistic observation, play-based assessment tasks, and communication/behavior checklists.

What is holistic and multimodal assessment?

Combining standardized assessment tools with real-world observation while considering strengths, challenges, and cultural factors.

What are at least five indications for ASD assessment?

Speech/language delays, limited joint attention, restricted play/interests, sensory sensitivities, and repetitive behaviors.

What is a major developmental red flag involving previously learned skills?

Loss or regression of skills.

What should happen if there is no babbling or gesturing by 12 months?

It is a developmental red flag for assessment.

What should happen if there are no single words by 16 months?

It is a developmental red flag for assessment.

What should happen if there are no two-word phrases by 24 months?

It is a developmental red flag for assessment.

What are common barriers to diagnosing ASD in culturally or linguistically diverse populations?

Language differences, limited interpreters, limited access to care or insurance, implicit bias, and unfamiliarity with U.S. diagnostic pathways.

Why are cultural differences important during ASD assessment?

Cultural norms can influence how behaviors are understood and described, so clinicians should avoid assuming that typical behavior is the same across cultures.

What are three members of an ASD assessment team?

SLP, psychologist, and occupational therapist.

What is the SLP's role on the assessment team?

Communication evaluation.

What is the psychologist's role on the assessment team?

Cognitive and emotional assessments.

What is the OT's role on the assessment team?

Sensory and motor profiling.

What is the pediatrician's role on the assessment team?

Medical and developmental screening.

Why are caregivers important members of the intervention team?

They spend the most time with the child and can help implement strategies consistently across everyday environments.

What does SMART stand for?

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

What does Specific mean in a SMART goal?

The outcome is clearly defined.

What does Measurable mean in a SMART goal?

Progress can be quantified.

What does Achievable mean in a SMART goal?

The goal is realistic for the child.

What does Relevant mean in a SMART goal?

The goal aligns with the child and family's needs.

What does Time-bound mean in a SMART goal?

The goal includes a timeline for review.

Why might girls with ASD be overlooked?

Girls may mask symptoms, present differently, or appear more socially typical at first glance.

What is neurodiversity?

A philosophy that views autism as a variation rather than simply a deficit and emphasizes strengths, autonomy, inclusion, and self-advocacy.

What is ableism?

Attitudes, language, or practices that devalue or discriminate against people based on disability.

What is the medical model of disability?

It views autism as an impairment to be fixed or treated.

What is the social model of disability?

It recognizes societal barriers as disabling factors.

What is the main difference between the medical and social models of disability?

The medical model focuses on the individual's impairment, while the social model focuses on barriers created by society.

What is identity-first language?

Saying "autistic person."

What is person-first language?

Saying "person with autism."

What should professionals consider when choosing identity-first or person-first language?

Individual and family preferences.

What is restricted play?

Play that is limited or repetitive and may involve restricted interests.

What are restricted interests?

Strong or narrow interests that may lead a child to repeatedly focus on the same toy, activity, or topic.

What are examples of evidence-based early intervention approaches listed in the notes?

ABA, DIR/Floortime, Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs).

What characteristics should effective intervention programs have?

They should be individualized, developmentally appropriate, engaging, involve family, and focus on functional skills.

Why is play important in autism intervention?

Play increases motivation and promotes learning while supporting communication, joint attention, and flexibility.

Why are structured routines useful in therapy?

They create predictability and can reduce anxiety.

How do visual schedules help during therapy?

They provide predictability and clear expectations and support engagement.

What is environmental arrangement?

Intentionally organizing the therapy space using limited choices, labeled areas, clear boundaries, visual cues, and reduced distractions.

How should transitions be supported during therapy?

With cues and prompts.

What are three important considerations when planning an autism therapy session?

Timing, presentation of material, and organization of material.

What should be considered when planning the timing of a therapy session?

Use developmentally appropriate, engaging activities and support transitions with cues and prompts.

What should be considered when presenting material during therapy?

Use modeling, visuals, hands-on activities, limited choices, and clear expectations.

What should be considered when organizing therapy materials?

Use structured routines, visual schedules, labeled areas, clear boundaries, and reduced distractions.

What is active learning?

Hands-on activities and embedded instruction that allow children to learn through doing.

Why is caregiver coaching important?

It builds caregiver confidence and helps strategies continue outside direct therapy.

What does consistency across settings mean?

Using aligned strategies at home, school, and the clinic so skills can generalize.

What is an individualized intervention?

An intervention based on the child's strengths, needs, developmental level, and family priorities.

What is a functional goal?

A goal that supports communication or social skills in real-life situations.

What should professionals do when monitoring progress?

Use observations, checklists, and caregiver reports; track change over time and adjust intervention as needed.

Why is early intervention important?

Early years are critical for brain development and learning, and timely intervention can improve outcomes.

What are the main areas of focus in early autism intervention?

Communication, social skills, and behavior.

What is the role of caregivers in early intervention?

Caregivers are critical partners, and coaching can help them implement strategies consistently across environments.

What is the main purpose of ASD assessment?

To identify the child's needs, not just provide a label, and to help guide intervention and support.

Why should assessment occur across multiple settings?

Communication and behavior can vary across settings and contexts, so assessment should provide a more complete picture of strengths and needs.