1. Autism
By: Adam Bean

2. Intoduction
Autism is one of five disorders classified under the autism spectrum disorders
characterized by some deficit in social interaction, communication, and range of interests and activities
there has been over a 550% increase in the number of cases reported since 1991

3. Behavioral Features Social Abnormalities Avoidance of eye-contact
Preference for inanimate stimulation over people
Lack of social referencing
Few relationships

4. Behavioral Features Cont.
Abnormalities of language
Limited or no language skills (35 % do not develop spoken language)
Echolalia
Failure to gesture
Pronoun reversal
Difficulty understanding non-literal language
Difficulty sustaining conversation
Difficulty with pragmatics

5. Behavioral Features Cont.
Restricted Patterns of Behaviors and Interests
Hypersensitivity or under-sensitivity to sensory information
Persistence with objects for long periods of time
Purposeless, self-stimulating behavior
Insistence on sameness
Unusual response to stimuli

6. Risk Factors Exposures to
MMR Vaccine
Thalidomine
Valproate
older parents are more likely to have autistic children
Mothers outside of Europe and North America are three times more likely to have a child with autism

7. Heritibility 4 to 1 male to female ratio 1 in 150 people are affected
92% recurrence rate in identical twins
10% recurrence rate in fraternal twins
2-8% recurrence rate in siblings

8. Genetics Estimated that up to 10 genes are involved
Genes found at 8q23-24 and 16p12-13 chromosomes are abundant in studies
serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) on 17q11-q12
Several genes involved

9. Diagnosis
Diagnosis must be achieved through observation which occurs in first three years of life
individual’s communication, behavior, and developmental skills are observed
Several screening tests are available
Checklist for Autism in Toddlers
Autism Screening Questionnaire

10. Treatment Behavior intervention therapy Medications haloperidol
risperidone

11. Conclusion
33% of children with Autism have intelligence in normal or above normal range
5% of people diagnosed with autism develop a isolated and often remarkable talent

12. References
Chen, GK, Kone, N, Geschwind, DH, Cantor, RM. "Quantitative Trait Locus Analysis of Nonverbal Communication in Autism Spectrum Disorder." Molecular Psychiatry 11(2006): [ ].
Hultman , Christina M.; Spare, Par; Cnattingius, Sven;. "Perinatal Risk Factors for Infantile Autism." Epidemiology 13(2002): [ ].
Muhle R., (2004).The genetics of autism. Pediatrics. 113,
Perry, Dr. William (2007).Searching for early signs of autism spectrum disorders. Harvard
Mental Health Letter. 35, [4-5].
Posey, David J., Stigler, Kimberly A., Erickson, Craig A., Mcdougle, Christopher J., "Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Autism." Science in Medicine 118(2008): [6-14].
Rimland, Dr. Bernard (2000). Autsim Society of America. Retrieved October , from
autism-society Web site:
Tager-Flusberg, Helen, Joseph, Robert M. "Identifying Neurocognitive Phenotypes in Autism." Philosophical Transactions: Biological Sciences 358(2003): [ ].
West, Lis, and Waldrop, Julee. "Risperidone Use in the Treatment of Behavioral Symptoms in
Children with Autism.” Continuing Nursing Education Series 32(2006):[ ].