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Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism & Engineering and Computing

Explore the history of Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, including their classification in the DSM and genetic associations. Learn about the behavioral and biological associations, diagnosis and interventions, as well as the impacts on individuals and their families. Discover the connection between Autism, Asperger's, and certain professions. Gain an understanding of prevention, early intervention, and improving quality of life for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

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Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism & Engineering and Computing

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  1. Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism &Engineering and Computing Felicity Millman

  2. Autism History • Pre 1943 - described as emotionally disturbed or intellectually disabled • 1943 - Autism / Kanners Syndrome described by Dr Leo Kanner • - Aspergers syndrome described by Dr Hans Asperger • 1970’s - Pervasive Developmental Disorder accepted in the US • 1980 – Autism included in the DSM as a diagnostic category • 1994 – Aspergers Syndrome included in the DSM IV.

  3. What are Autism and Asperger’s? • DSM-IV classification (APA, 1994). • 1. Qualitative impairments in communication • 2.Qualitative impairment in social interaction. • 3. Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests and activities(APA, 1994).

  4. Social interaction Communication Imaginative play Pervasive Developmental Disorders Autism Asperger’s Childhood Disinteregrative Disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified: including Atypical Autism

  5. Autism in the Lifespan • Autism is a complex behavioural syndrome • onset in childhood • lasting throughout the lifespan

  6. The Autism Epidemic? • Autism is a prevalent disorder • estimates ranging from approximately 0.7 – 76 per 10000 individuals (Bauman & Kemper, 2004). • Rates of diagnosis have increased over the last 20 years, however this is not a true increase in prevalence.

  7. MMR and Autism? • The MMR childhood vaccination has been anecdotally but not scientifically associated with onset of autism • Coincidence of timing • An immune response to the vaccination? • Exposure to thermisol (mercury)?

  8. Behavioural Associations • intellectual disability • seizure disorders • abnormalities of motor behaviour • impaired motor planning • abnormal responses to sensory stimuli including pain, touch and noise. • sleep and eating disturbances • mood and affect disturbances • self-injurious behaviour • aggression and hyperactivity • (Bauman & Kemper, 2004, Schreck, Williams and Smith, 2004).

  9. Biological Associations • auditory processing disturbances • seizure disorders • food and environmental sensitivities • larger head circumference • increased white matter in the brain • reduction in number of Purkinje cells in the brain • gastrointestinal dysfunction, • hyperserotoninemia • abnormal lymphocyte functions. • hormones / neurotransmitter levels.

  10. Autism Heritability: • Autism is recognised as highly heritable • classical autism concordance rates are approximately 60% for Monozygotic twins and 0% for Dizygotic twins. • Gender bias: 4 males to each female affected. • High rates of twins with Autism.

  11. Autism genetics • Regions on every chromosome have been implicated in Autism at various stages. • Most commonly associated: • 5HTT (serotonin transporter) 17q11-12 • GABRB3 (GABA receptor B3) 15q11-13 • RELN (reelin protein) 7q22-33 • C4B and HLA (immune system) 6p21.3 • OXTR (oxytocin receptor) 3p25-26

  12. Autism Genetics • Autism is polygenic. • There is no single causative gene for Autism. • Genes work in a system • No gene exists or act alone • Environment may have effect on gene • Penetrance and expressivity.

  13. Autism diagnosis • Symptom clustering? • Genetic associations? • Autism Subtypes?

  14. Autism Diagnosis: • Reconfiguration of understanding of disease status over last 50 years: • How good is our current classification? • Should we only be using classical symptoms for diagnosis or should we also include associated symptoms? Dementia praecox Childhood schizophrenia Autism Pervasive Develop Disorder

  15. Autism Interventions • Behavioural • Applied Behavioural Analysis • Medications • Antidepressants • Atypical Anti-psychotics • Anti- epileptics • Melatonin • Diet • Complimentary and Alternative Medicine

  16. Prognosis • Level of functioning • Co morbidities • Family functioning • Early Intervention • Support and funding.

  17. Impacts of Autism • Financial Costs • Medication • Behavioural intervention • Education • Hospitalization • Parental care • Respite care • Social Costs • Time • Limited activities • Family structure

  18. Autism, Asperger’s and Profession • Parents and grandparents of children who are Autistic or Asperger’s are over-represented in the fields of: • Engineering • Physics • Accounting • Computer Programming • Science

  19. Autism, Asperger’s and Profession cont. • Folk physics and folk psychology • Hyper-male (extreme male brain theory) • Systemizing and empathising • Assortive mating theory • Jobs for people with autism spectrum disorders.

  20. Understanding Autism • Prevention • Early intervention and treatment • Genetic Counseling • Understanding of other disorders ie Schizophrenia • Quality of life for individuals with ASD and their family members.

  21. Questions ?

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