Autism

• The term autism describes a pattern of 'qualitative differences and impairments in reciprocal social interaction and social communication, combined with restricted interests and rigid and repetitive behaviours, often with a lifelong impact'.
• Risk factors:

  Down's syndrome

  Fragile X syndrome

  Muscular dystrophy

  Neurofibromatosis type 1

  Tuberous sclerosis

  <35 weeks gestation

  Parental schizophrenia-like psychosis

  Sodium valproate during pregnancy

  Cerebral palsy

  ADHD

  Family history
• Diagnosis:

  Language delay/regression in pre-school children

  Reduced or negative responses to others in all ages

  Reduced or absent interactions in all ages

  Reduced eye contact and pointing in all ages

  Reduced imagination/ideas in all ages

  Restricted interests in all ages

  Over/under-reaction to sensory stimuli in all ages
• Diagnosis in secondary school children:

  Specific features:

  • Social and emotional development more immature - lack of common sense, less independent than peers
  • Poorly developed social or motor coordination skills
  • Particular areas of knowledge/reading/vocabulary are advanced for mental age