Autism Autism is a lifelong complex neurobiological disorder Most severe childhood psychiatric condition First identified in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner Dr. Hans Asperger noted a milder form of the spectrum that is now called Asperger’s Syndrome

Pervasive Developmental Disorders 1.Autism 2.Rett Syndrome 3.Childhood Disintegrative Disorder 4.Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) 5.Asperger’s Disorder

DSM IV Criteria for Autism: 1.Qualitative impairments in social interaction Lack of eye contact and appropriate facial expressions and gestures Failure to develop normal peer relationships Lack of joint attention and emotional reciprocity 2.Impairments in communication Language delays Impairment in the ability to initiate or sustain a conversation with others Stereotyped and repetitive use of language Lack of imaginary play and imitation

3.Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities Preoccupation with stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest Adherence to specific routines or rituals Stereotyped and repetitive motor movements (e.g hand flapping) Preoccupation with parts of objects

Diagnosing Autism: At least 1 DSM IV criterion before age 3 Most children assessed at years Concerned when child has not developed language Parents report that child was “strange” as an infant Early onset: symptoms from birth Late-onset: symptoms at months

Incidence of Autism: Used to be 4-5 out of 10, 000 people. CDC now says it is about 1 in 150 individuals More common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. Occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups Affects boys 4-5 X more than girls 20% have splinter skills (above average in 1 area) Less than 10% are ‘autistic savants’ –extraordinary skills: e.g. math, memory, artistic abilities, music

Sensory motor delays Hearing: hypersensitive to certain noises Vision: staring into space, flapping objects before their eyes, looking out of corner of eyes, peering close to objects Vestibular sensations: spinning, staring Temperature regulation Pain: lack of appropriate pain response Smell: oblivious to foul odors Position: difficulty maintaining postures Taste: specific food preferences Textures: rubbing rough surfaces, preference for certain textures

Causes of Autism Genetics: predisposition to autism is inherited high concordance rates in identical twins increased chance of affected family member Brain Abnormalities: brain stem dysfunction Epilepsy, and EEG abnormalities ventricle enlargement & hydrocephalus abnormal serotonin and dopamine levels cerebellum abnormalities

Theories Executive Function (EF): Individuals with autism are impaired on EF tasks EF are mediated by frontal lobe, people with frontal lobe damage show similar behaviors Theory of Mind (ToM): ToM – ability to comprehend mental states of others, and make inferences and predictions about what others will do or believe Understand that our own perspective may differ from the perspective of someone else

Baron-Cohen, Leslie, Frith (1985) Compared autism (11-11), downs syndrome (10- 11), and normal children (4-5) on a ToM test – matched for VMA (5 years) Why two comparison groups?

Results: 85% normal passed 86% downs syndrome passed 80% autism failed children with autism fail to employ a ToM Holroyd & Baron-Cohen (1993) follow up study with same children at 19.8 years Sally-Anne test, Ice Cream Van test (harder) 82% failed Sally-Anne test all failed Ice Cream Van test as teenagers still fail to employ a ToM