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Autism - Background

Autism - Background. Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) Differential diagnosis important Similar symptoms with several disorders Often considered a “spectrum” disorder. Autism. Primary Characteristics Social relationship problems Nonverbal behaviors

MikeCarlo
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Autism - Background

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  1. Autism - Background • Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) • Differential diagnosis important • Similar symptoms with several disorders • Often considered a “spectrum” disorder

  2. Autism • Primary Characteristics • Social relationship problems • Nonverbal behaviors • Failure to develop peer relationships • Lack of spontaneous sharing with others • Lack of social or emotional reciprocity

  3. Primary characteristics cont’ • Language problems • Delay in or lack of language development • Impairment in ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others • Stereotyped or repetitive use of language • Stereotypic behaviors • Repetitive motor movements

  4. Additional characteristics • Abnormal responses to environment • Decreased intellectual functioning Age of onset Course Prevalence

  5. Differential Diagnosis • Childhood schizophrenia • Developmental aphasia • Mental retardation • Asperger’s Disorder • Impairment in social interaction • Restricted or repetitive behavior • Differences: language, attachment, intellectual

  6. Etiology • Many common theories disproved: • Autism as withdrawal to cope with psychological pain • Chronic under-arousal in RAS • Learning of self-stimulation • MMR vaccine • Have looked at assoc. between intro. of vaccine and autism rates in different countries and different points of times • Genetics : concordance rates 36 – 95% for MZ and 0-5% for DZ • Neuropsychological factors • Diffuse damage, excess white matter

  7. Treatment/Interventions • Medications – help only minority of children • Behavioral approaches • TEACCH – UNC Chapel Hill • Structured teaching (structuring the environment) • “social story” • Visual information • Lovaas’ behavior modification • Intense behavioral therapy • 40 hrs. per week, over 2 years Both most effective if initiated early ages (by preschool)

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