Autism Core Knowledge Flashcards

According to the DSM-5, the core diagnostic features of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are categorized into two main areas. What are these two areas?

Answer: Deficits in social communication/interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior.

The DSM-5 defines ASD by two core symptom domains: 1) persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, and 2) restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. While the other options can be associated features, they are not the two primary diagnostic categories.

An ABAT is working with a child who frequently covers their ears and cries in the school cafeteria, which is often loud and crowded. However, the child seems to not notice when they scrape their knee on the playground. This child's behavior is most likely indicative of which common characteristic of ASD?

Answer: Hyper- and hypo-reactivity to sensory input.

The child is demonstrating hyper-reactivity (oversensitivity) to auditory stimuli (loud noises) and hypo-reactivity (undersensitivity) to tactile/pain stimuli (scraping a knee). This combination is a key example of the atypical sensory processing common in ASD, which is a criterion under the restricted/repetitive behaviors domain.

A client with ASD often repeats phrases they have heard in a movie or from a caregiver, sometimes immediately after hearing them and sometimes later in the day. Which of the following terms best describes this form of communication?

Answer: Echolalia

Echolalia is the repetition of vocalizations, phrases, or sentences made by another person. It can be immediate (repeating right away) or delayed (repeating later). While it can be a form of scripting, echolalia is the more precise and encompassing term for this specific behavior of repeating others.

A child with ASD is playing a game with a peer. The peer hides a toy while the child is looking, then leaves the room. While the peer is gone, the ABAT moves the toy to a new hiding spot. When asked where the returning peer will look for the toy, the child with ASD points to the new hiding spot. This demonstrates a potential difficulty with:

Answer: Theory of Mind

This scenario describes a classic test for Theory of Mind. The child's inability to understand that the peer holds a different belief or perspective (i.e., the peer doesn't know the toy was moved) is a hallmark of challenges with Theory of Mind, which is the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others.

Which statement is most accurate regarding the general prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Answer: ASD is diagnosed about 3 to 4 times more often in boys than in girls.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, but it is over 3 times more common among boys than among girls. While intellectual disability can co-occur, it is not present in the majority of cases, and symptoms must be present in the early developmental period.

An individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may often have other conditions or challenges that exist at the same time. Which of the following is considered a common co-occurring condition with ASD?

Answer: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

While individuals with ASD can have various medical conditions, certain conditions are known to co-occur at a higher rate. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common co-occurring diagnoses, along with anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders.