AUTISM AND DENTISTRY

T or F: Autism is a lifelong developmental disability?

T

When is autism usually recognized?

before 7 years of age

Autism:

originates where?

More common in what gender?

1 in ___ children have it

Brains/nervous system

Males

36

What are the two reasons autism rates have increased over last 20 years?

Real increases

Changing definitions of autism

WI’s rates are about what for autism?

National Average

Autism prevalence has increased by what % since 2000?

317%

What are the two areas of core features of autism?

Social/language/communication

Intense interests/repetitive behaviors/challenges with senses

T or F: Everyone who has autism has the same experience

F -> Each individual is unique

Social Features of Autism: Social Attention

May not make_____ _____

May not _____ other people or appear to _____ what others do

May not respond when you do what?

eye contact

copy - watch

call their name

Social Features of Autism: Unwritten rules

May say ______ , or have trouble taking someone else's ______

May not show much _____ on the face, even though it is _____

exactly what they're thinking - perspective

emotion - felt

Social Features of Autism: Relationships

May have difficulty making and keeping ______

May seem "____________ "

Will show ______ and _____ to family members

friends

in their own world

attachment and love

Language/Communication Features of Autism:

What % are nonspeaking?

They may _____ what others say or things they hear on TV

What % speak in full sentences?

50

Repeat

50

T or F: Those with autism may not understand sarcasm, figures of speech or jokes

T

Language/Communication Features of Autism:

Tone of voice may be ____

Volume may be ______

flat

unusual

Intense Interests and Senses of those with Autism:

May like to _____,_____ or____ things, and stopping them from doing this causes distress

May have _____ movements- (3)

May ____ or____ things repeatedly

May not like to be _____

May only want to engage or talk about their ______ , and have a hard time "_____ _____ "

May not react well to ______ in routines or transitions, new environments

line up, order, or arrange

repetitive - wave hands, rocking, or pacing

smell or touch

touched

intense interest - switching set

change

Strengths of Autistic People:

_____ friends

_____ and ______ in judgment toward others

Pay close attention to _____

Passionate ______ to ideas

_____ in approaching problems

Diligent _____ / _____ -focused

Strong pursuit of knowledge in areas of _____

Strong sense of (3)

Loyal

Honest and unbiased

detail

commitment

Originality

working - task

interest

justice, fairness, and empathy

T or F: People on the spectrum have different strengths compared to people not on the spectrum

F -> People on the spectrum have similar and different strengths compared to people not on the spectrum

T or F : your goal should be to individualize care so that the best care is given and received

T

What four things can you do before the dental visit as a practicioner?

Ask care givers about prefferred communication

Ask about history of dental procedures

Ask about ways to encourage patient

Ask about patients interests

What three ways can you bring an autistic patient down if they are in fight/flight/freeze mode?

Allow stimming/interests- do not interrupt

Provide support so the patient feels as safe as possible

Provide as calm an environment as possible

T or F: Autistic patients can sense your anxiety and will become anxious

T