Autism

1. Autism �Within Oneself�

2. See CriteriaSee Criteria

3. Differential Diagnosis Autism versus: Asperger�s Disorder Rhett�s Disorder Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

4. Autism: Prevalence 2-5 children per 10,000. Recent estimates 1 in 500 Higher IQ�s: more males than females IQ�s < 35 more females Autism in females associated with lower IQ�s.

5. Intellectual Deficits and Strengths Close link between autism and mental retardation Between 76% and 89% have impaired intelligence Savant abilities appear in a very small percentage (5%).

6. Autism: Social Impairments Impaired Joint Social Attention Impaired Gaze Pattern Impaired Emotional Comprehension

7. Core Characteristics: Social Impairments Impaired joint social attention

8. Social Interaction of Autistic Children Study Julie Osterling and Geraldine Dawson (1994) Coded the behaviors of 11 autistic and 11 normal children during a birthday party. Coding system documented the frequency of: gaze to parents, seeking contact, imitating, and joint attention Coders were blind to diagnosis

9. Osterling and Dawson (1994): Results

10. Communication Impairments Overuse of protoimperative gestures. Two types of gestures: Protoimperative- gestures expressing needs- eg., I want juice NOT Protodeclarative- gestures involving joint attention

11. Communication Deficits Echolalia Errors in pronoun reversal Errors in pragmatics and social useage

12. Repetitive Behavior and Restricted Interests Four categories: Obsession with specific objects Rigid Play lacking imitation and imagination (see study next slides) Preoccupation with colors or numbers Adoption of rigid routines

13. Children and Pretend Play: Simon Baron-Cohen (1987) Definition of Pretend Play: Pretending object is something else Attributing properties to object Referring to absent objects as if they were present Procedure: Three subject groups: Autistic, Down�s Syndrome and Normal 3 videotaped play sessions Coded: pretend, functional, sensorimotor, ordering

14. Results:

15. Repetitive Movements Abnormal Body Movement Oversensitivity Undersensitivity

16. Etiology: Early Psychological Theories Leo Kanner Refrigerator parents hypothesis, lack of bonding Not supported by objective research Bruno Bettelheim Psychoanalytic View Early threatening experiences which cause the child to withdraw

17. Etiology: Operant Learning Failed parenting Self-stimulation were reinforced

18. Etiology: Biological Theories Genetics transmission is implicated. Twin studies: .36, .91, .39 for monozygotic twins and 0 for dizygotic twins. 90% of nonautistic monozygotic twin had some autistic characteristics, only 8 % of dizgotic nonautistic twin pairs had such symptoms.

19. Nature of the Transmission The number of genes involved ranges from 2 to 10.

20. Etiology: Neuroanatomy Malformations in early development: Cerebellar hypoplasia (diminished size) Increased brain weight Amygdala dysfunction

21. Etiology: Neurochemistry Elevated levels of serotonin

22. Etiology Cognitive Theories Theory of Mind Explanation that autism results from inability to understand others points of view or others minds. Deficit best seen in the false belief test.

24. Baron-Cohen Research Autistic children are impaired in their understanding of false beliefs.

25. Treatment: Biological Interventions Amphetamines Phenothiazines Lithium Megavitamins (B6 and magnesium)

26. Treatment: Behavioral Intensive shaping and reinforcement programs

27. 1987 Treatment Study Procedure: 19 young children with autism diagnosed by independent clinicians Children nonrandomly to one of three groups. Assignment made on basis of staff availablity

28. 1987 Treatment Study: Group Assignment

29. 1987 Treatment Study: First Grade Results