PSYC3102 – Autism and Intellectual Disability Lecture

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering DSM definitions, neurodiversity principles, autism diagnostic criteria, prevalence, aetiology, prognosis, interventions, and the description, assessment, aetiology, and prevention/treatment of intellectual disability.

How does DSM-5-TR define neurodevelopmental disorders?

Conditions with onset in the developmental period, manifesting early and marked by brain-based developmental differences that impair personal, social, academic, or occupational functioning.

Which DSM-5-TR neurodevelopmental disorders fall under the ‘communication’ category?

Language disorder, speech sound disorder, childhood-onset fluency disorder (stuttering), social (pragmatic) communication disorder, and unspecified communication disorder.

What is the core principle of a neurodiversity-affirming framework?

Recognising natural variation in brain functioning and respecting neurobiological differences rather than viewing them as deficits to be cured.

List three conditions commonly included under the umbrella of neurodivergence.

Autism, ADHD, and Tourette’s syndrome (others include learning disabilities and OCD).

According to DSM-5-TR, what are the three required areas of persistent social communication differences in autism?

1) Social-emotional reciprocity, 2) non-verbal communicative behaviours, and 3) developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships.

Name the four types of restrictive or repetitive behaviours listed in DSM-5-TR Criterion B for autism.

1) Stereotyped/repetitive motor movements, 2) insistence on sameness or inflexible routines, 3) highly restricted fixated interests, and 4) hyper- or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual sensory interests.

What additional DSM-5-TR criteria (C–E) must be met for an autism diagnosis?

C) Onset in early developmental period; D) clinically significant impact on functioning; E) not better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental delay.

How are ‘support levels’ specified in an autism diagnosis?

Requiring support, requiring substantial support, or requiring very substantial support, based on current social-communication impairments and RRBs.

Give four difficulties or conditions commonly associated with autism.

Anxiety, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and sleep problems (others include depression, epilepsy, alexithymia, executive functioning issues).

Define ‘prevalence’.

The proportion of a population that has a condition, expressed as a percentage or ratio (e.g., 1 in 100).

What was the CDC’s estimated prevalence of autism in 2020?

About 1 in 36 children.

What proportion of autistic 4-year-olds with IQ data had an IQ ≤70, per the CDC?

Approximately 48.5%.

Which demographic group shows higher reported autism prevalence, though this is debated?

Males.

Describe two reasons for the apparent increase in autism prevalence.

Expansion of diagnostic criteria and increased public awareness (others include recognising female presentation, advocacy, funding, earlier statistics underestimation).

What is meant by ‘camouflaging’ in autistic females?

Consciously or unconsciously masking autistic traits to fit social expectations, often leading to underdiagnosis.

What is the estimated heritability of autism?

More than 80%.

State the typical monozygotic versus dizygotic twin concordance rates for autism.

MZ twins: ~60–90%; DZ twins: 0–6%.

Give one non-shared perinatal factor linked to autistic traits in MZ twin studies.

Weight discordance at birth.

Name two brain structures investigated for autism-related differences.

Cerebellum and amygdala (part of the limbic system).

Which discredited myth once blamed parents for causing autism?

The ‘refrigerator parent’ theory suggesting cold, rejecting parenting.

List three factors linked with a better adult prognosis for autistic individuals.

Childhood IQ above 70, functional language by age 5, and absence of epilepsy (plus adequate family and service support).

What upcoming AHPRA competency (7.9) emphasises for psychologists?

Understanding neurodiversity, strengths-based, trauma-informed approaches, and making reasonable adjustments for people with developmental disability.

Give three elements of neurodiversity-affirming intervention for autism.

Supporting autistic identity, adapting environments, and enhancing autonomy while aligning goals with the person’s values.

What adaptation does Modified CBT typically include for autistic clients?

Use of concrete language, visual supports, and focus on sensory or executive functioning differences during therapy.

Name two additional evidence-based supports cited besides CBT.

Mindfulness-based interventions and technology-assisted therapies (also parenting support, medication for co-occurring conditions).

What is the timeframe of Australia’s National Autism Strategy?

2025–2031.

What is the goal of the ‘Tuned In’ program?

Teaching students to use self-selected music listening to regulate emotions such as anxiety and improve focus.

How does ‘Tuned In Connect’ modify the original program?

Co-developed with neurodivergent students, it adds recognising burnout signs and managing uncertainty.

State the defining features of intellectual disability (ID).

Significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour.

Give three examples of intellectual/cognitive functions assessed for ID.

Learning, reasoning, and problem-solving (also planning, abstract thinking, judgment).

What are the three adaptive functioning domains?

Conceptual, social, and practical.

By what age must limitations manifest for an ID diagnosis?

Before the individual attains age 22 (developmental period).

How does DSM-5-TR assign severity for ID?

Based on adaptive functioning (conceptual, social, practical) rather than IQ: mild, moderate, severe, or profound.

What is the approximate global prevalence of ID?

About 1% of the general population.

Which two standardised measures are commonly used to assess adaptive functioning?

Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (ABAS) and Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale.

What IQ score range is considered ‘significantly sub-average’?

An IQ of 70 or below (≤70 ±5).

Explain the Flynn effect.

The phenomenon of steadily rising average IQ scores over time, making older test norms outdated.

List two factors that can invalidate IQ test results.

Practice effects from repeated testing and lack of cultural-linguistic appropriateness (others: subtest discrepancies, co-occurring language disorders).

What proportion of ID cases are classified as mild?

About 85% of individuals with IQ <70.

Describe typical support needs for moderate ID.

Most live dependently in family or supervised group homes and require ongoing assistance for daily functioning.

At what adult mental-age range is severe ID approximated?

3–6-year-old level.

Which chromosomal condition is a common genetic cause of ID?

Down syndrome (trisomy 21).

Why does the incidence of Down syndrome increase with maternal age?

Maternal age is linked with higher risk of nondisjunction events leading to an extra chromosome 21.

Name one dominant and one recessive gene disorder associated with ID.

Dominant: Fragile X syndrome; Recessive: Phenylketonuria (PKU).

How can PKU-related intellectual disability be prevented?

Early detection and a low-phenylalanine diet avoiding high-protein foods.

Give three prenatal or perinatal environmental factors that can cause ID.

Fetal alcohol exposure, prematurity with very low birth weight, and anoxia during delivery (others: Rh incompatibility, severe malnutrition).

Which infectious diseases transmitted from mother to fetus may result in ID?

Rubella, HIV, and syphilis (also herpes).

State two primary prevention measures for ID.

Vaccinations (e.g., rubella) and genetic counselling for chromosomal abnormalities.

What is Project Head Start?

A community-based preschool program (ages 3–5) aimed at secondary prevention by enhancing early cognitive and social skills.

Define ‘backward chaining’ as used in teaching adaptive skills.

A behavioural technique that teaches the last step of a task first, then moves backward sequentially until the entire task is mastered.

List three tertiary prevention or support services for individuals with ID.

Family respite care, vocational programs, and residential housing options (others: transition services, case management).

Why are adaptive skills considered less stable than IQ over time?

Life demands change from structured school settings to diverse adult environments, altering adaptive functioning requirements.

What is meant by ‘cultural-familial’ intellectual impairment?

Mild ID linked to environmental deprivation rather than clear biological pathology, often targeted by early stimulation programs.

Which two subtests clusters are part of modern IQ batteries like the Wechsler scales?

Verbal comprehension and working memory (others include visual-spatial, fluid reasoning, processing speed).

How many chromosomes do individuals with Down syndrome typically have?

47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.

Name one neurological myth debunked as a cause of autism.

MMR vaccinations causing autism (discredited).

Which two twin-study findings support environmental contributions to autism?

Birth-weight discordance in MZ twins and early infancy infections such as streptococcal infection associated with autistic traits.

What kinds of interests are more typical in autistic females than males, per current research?

Relational interests (e.g., animals, fictional characters, psychology) rather than mechanical topics.

Why might severity of autism be underestimated in females?

Diagnostic tools were normed on male presentations and many females camouflage their traits.

What brain development pattern is observed in the cerebellum and amygdalae of autistic individuals?

Early rapid growth followed by a developmental slowdown.

State three co-occurring conditions often seen with autism that may require additional intervention.

ADHD, epilepsy, and alexithymia (also anxiety, depression).

What is the upper age limit in the AAIDD manual for ID onset and why?

Before age 22, reflecting research that significant brain development continues into the early 20s.

Give an example of a practical adaptive skill.

Managing money (others: personal care, organising work tasks).

What percentage of individuals with IQ<70 fall into the severe ID category?

Approximately 3–4%.

Describe the main focus of tertiary prevention for ID.

Providing systematic instruction, inclusion, and supports to optimise functioning and quality of life after a disability is identified.

Which Australian policy document outlines a ‘safe and inclusive society’ vision for autistic people from 2025 to 2031?

The National Autism Strategy.

What is the typical adult mental age for individuals with profound intellectual disability?

Equivalent to 3 years or younger.

How can neurodiversity-affirming practice enhance therapy outcomes for autistic adults?

By integrating autistic perspectives, adjusting the environment, and aligning goals to the client’s preferences, increasing acceptability and autonomy.

What does the term ‘global developmental delay’ refer to in DSM-5-TR?

A provisional diagnosis for children under 5 who fail to meet developmental milestones yet are too young for reliable IQ testing to confirm ID.

Why may IQ scores alone be insufficient for diagnosing ID?

Because real-world reasoning and daily life mastery depend heavily on adaptive functioning, context, and cultural factors, which IQ tests may not capture.