PROBLEM 7: YOUNG, FAST AND WILD
Learning Goals:
Case 1:
What is ADHD?
What is autism (spectrum)?
Autism
Autistic spectrum disorder: associated with impairment in several areas of development
Exhibit:
- spectrum of developmental impairments and delays
- emotional disturbances
- intellectual disabilities
- language and communication deficits
- development of stereotyped or self-injurious behaviour
CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER
Early as before 1 year old
- Development is nor proceeding normally
- Child may seem withdrawn
- Fail to develop normal means of communication
- Uninterested in surroundings
- Difficulty learning new skills
Impairments of reciprocal social interaction
One of the most marked features
- Impairment in use of nonverbal behaviour
o Eye contact, appropriate facial expression
- Unable to regulate social interaction and communication
- Rarely approach / greet others
- Lack of interest in making friends
Children with milder forms: may be able to learn what physical features of a person are associated
with the expression of an emotion
- Unable to explain why someone is expressing that emotion
Impairments in communication
, Delay in development of spoken language
Inability to sustain conversation
More than half fail to speak at all – utter range of noises and screams
Echolalia: the immediate imitation of words or sounds they have just heard
Pronoun reversal: impairment in communication in which individual refers to himself/herself as he,
she, you.
Those who have meaningful speech by 5 = most likely benefit from subsequent treatment
Impairments in imagination and flexibility of thought
Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviour
- Have a routine
- Get distressed if this routine is disrupted or if they’re not allowed to complete routine
When playing: rarely indulge in symbolic play (moving car along floor) but explore the tactile
features of the toy (by simply rotating car in the hands)
Self-stimulatory in nature- can become intense
Intellectual deficits
80% exhibit signs of intellectual disability
- IQ lower than 70
Autistic spectrum disorder = perform better on tests of visuospatial ability than tests of social
understanding or verbal ability
- better at finding hidden figures in drawings, building, matching
Individuals with autism = excel in one specific task
Multiple cognitive disabilities
- Savant syndrome: phenomenon of extraordinary proficiency in one skill.
o Closely linked to autistic spectrum disorder
- found in Asperger’s syndrome: impairment in social interaction and development of
restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests and activities
DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER
- persistent deficits in social communications and interaction
o social-emotional reciprocity
o nonverbal communication
o making and maintaining relationships
- restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviours
o stereotyped
o repetitive motor movements
o highly restricted
Learning Goals:
Case 1:
What is ADHD?
What is autism (spectrum)?
Autism
Autistic spectrum disorder: associated with impairment in several areas of development
Exhibit:
- spectrum of developmental impairments and delays
- emotional disturbances
- intellectual disabilities
- language and communication deficits
- development of stereotyped or self-injurious behaviour
CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER
Early as before 1 year old
- Development is nor proceeding normally
- Child may seem withdrawn
- Fail to develop normal means of communication
- Uninterested in surroundings
- Difficulty learning new skills
Impairments of reciprocal social interaction
One of the most marked features
- Impairment in use of nonverbal behaviour
o Eye contact, appropriate facial expression
- Unable to regulate social interaction and communication
- Rarely approach / greet others
- Lack of interest in making friends
Children with milder forms: may be able to learn what physical features of a person are associated
with the expression of an emotion
- Unable to explain why someone is expressing that emotion
Impairments in communication
, Delay in development of spoken language
Inability to sustain conversation
More than half fail to speak at all – utter range of noises and screams
Echolalia: the immediate imitation of words or sounds they have just heard
Pronoun reversal: impairment in communication in which individual refers to himself/herself as he,
she, you.
Those who have meaningful speech by 5 = most likely benefit from subsequent treatment
Impairments in imagination and flexibility of thought
Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviour
- Have a routine
- Get distressed if this routine is disrupted or if they’re not allowed to complete routine
When playing: rarely indulge in symbolic play (moving car along floor) but explore the tactile
features of the toy (by simply rotating car in the hands)
Self-stimulatory in nature- can become intense
Intellectual deficits
80% exhibit signs of intellectual disability
- IQ lower than 70
Autistic spectrum disorder = perform better on tests of visuospatial ability than tests of social
understanding or verbal ability
- better at finding hidden figures in drawings, building, matching
Individuals with autism = excel in one specific task
Multiple cognitive disabilities
- Savant syndrome: phenomenon of extraordinary proficiency in one skill.
o Closely linked to autistic spectrum disorder
- found in Asperger’s syndrome: impairment in social interaction and development of
restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests and activities
DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER
- persistent deficits in social communications and interaction
o social-emotional reciprocity
o nonverbal communication
o making and maintaining relationships
- restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviours
o stereotyped
o repetitive motor movements
o highly restricted
