Infancy: Disorders in the Autistic Spectrum – Vocabulary Flashcards

Key terms and definitions drawn from the notes on infancy and disorders in the autistic spectrum, including autism, Asperger’s, PDD-NOS, diagnostic criteria, theory of mind, interventions, and associated neuroscience concepts.

Autism

A pervasive developmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication, and restricted, repetitive behaviors; term originates from Bleuler’s autos (self) and Kanner’s description.

Autistic Disorder

DSM-IV-TR subtype of autism with profound impairments in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors, often with delayed language.

Asperger’s Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder with no significant language delay and usually normal or above-average intelligence, but with social impairment and narrow interests.

PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified)

Diagnosis given when some core autistic features are present but full criteria for autism or Asperger’s are not met.

PDDs (Pervasive Developmental Disorders)

Group of disorders including autism, Asperger’s, PDD-NOS, Rett syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder.

Triad of Impairments

Three core deficits in autism: impairment in social interaction, impairment in communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors.

Social Interaction

One component of the triad; includes eye contact, peer relationships, and reciprocal social engagement.

Communication

One component of the triad; includes language delays, echolalia, pronoun reversal, and nonverbal communication difficulties.

Restricted, Repetitive Behaviors

Stereotyped or repetitive movements, insistence on sameness, and highly focused interests.

Echolalia

Exact repetition of words or phrases spoken by others, sometimes without understanding.

Pronoun Reversal

Using “you” or one’s own name instead of “I” when referring to oneself.

Prosody

Rhythm, pitch, and intonation of speech; often monotone or atypical in autism.

Joint Attention

Shared focus on an object or event; often impaired in autism and important for early diagnosis.

Theory of Mind (ToM)

Ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others; in autism, often described as mind-blindness.

Mind-blindness

Difficulty recognizing others’ beliefs, desires, and intentions; a proposed core of ToM deficits in autism.

Sally-Anne Task

A classic false-belief test used to assess Theory of Mind in children.

False Belief Task

Assessment of ToM to determine if a child can understand that others may hold beliefs different from reality.

Weak Central Coherence (WCC)

Cognitive style in which individuals focus on details rather than the global whole.

Central Coherence (CC)

Ability to integrate details into a coherent whole; reduced in many with autism (opposite of WCC).

Executive Functions

Higher-order cognitive processes (planning, organization, flexibility) often challenged in autism.

Savant

A rare talent in a specific area (savants) seen in a minority of individuals with autism.

Refrigerator Mother

Outdated theory blaming cold, emotionally distant mothers for causing autism.

Lovaas’s Behavior Modification Program

Intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program (about 40 hours/week for 2 years) showing large gains in IQ and functioning.

TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children)

Comprehensive program using Structured Teaching to organize the environment and routines.

Structured Teaching

TEACCH method of arranging visual supports, predictable schedules, and clear organization to aid learning.

PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)

ABA-based system teaching nonverbal communication through picture exchanges.

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis)

Behavioral intervention focusing on reinforcement to teach new skills and reduce problem behaviors.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Umbrella term for autism-related conditions, reflecting a continuum of social-communication and behavioral differences.

DSM-IV-TR

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision; standard criteria for autism.

ICD-10

International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision; alternative diagnostic framework with autism-related subtypes.

Asynchrony (Box 5.2 concept)

Developmental deviation characterized by uneven progress across cognitive and affective domains.

Prevalence

Estimated rate of autism in a population; historically variable, with rising reported rates due to awareness and diagnostic changes.

Gender Ratio in Autism

Boys are more frequently diagnosed than girls; commonly around 4:1, with higher ratios at higher cognitive levels.

Extreme Male Brain Theory

Baron-Cohen’s hypothesis that autism reflects an extreme version of male cognitive style (more systemizing, less empathy).

Systematizing

Drive to analyze and construct systems; often stronger in autism and central to the Extreme Male Brain theory.

Empathy

Ability to understand and respond to others’ feelings; typically reduced in many with autism.

Social Attention

The processing and prioritization of socially relevant cues (eyes, faces); often impaired in autism.

Amygdala Enlargement

Neuroanatomical finding in autism linked to processing emotions and social cues.

Language Pragmatics

Social use of language; difficulties in autism even when vocabulary/grammar are intact.

Pragmatics

Rules for social language use and conversation.

Nonverbal Communication

Gestures, eye contact, facial expressions; often impaired in autism.

Diagnostic Substitution

Replacing one diagnosis with ASD to obtain services or funding; increases ASD diagnostic rates.

MMR Vaccine Controversy

Debated link between MMR vaccination and autism; evidence does not support a causal connection; public health impact noted.

Attachment in Autism

Autism is not simply an attachment disorder; attachment patterns can be atypical but secure attachment can occur.