Difference between revisions of "Autism Spectrum Disorders"
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=== Basic Characteristics === | === Basic Characteristics === | ||
* Description | * Description | ||
| − | Autism Spectrum Disorders | + | Autism Spectrum Disorders is a clinical description that the developmental disorders which are characterized by impaired language development, social development, and learning. Children with ASD have extremely delayed development. Symptoms of this disorder usually start to appear between 12 to 36 months and can possibly (though not necessarily) include not babbling by 12 months, not speaking by 16 months, or a gradual loss of language or social skills. All children with ASD show deficits in social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication. They may also show repetitive behaviors or interests or aggressive behavior. |
| + | |||
| + | Although all children with ASD show similar deficits, the depth of these deficits can range drastically. Some have very mild deficits like in [[Asperger's Syndrome]], where children have high levels of vocabulary and language skills compared to other disorders in the spectrum. Others may have little to no spoken language functionality, such as in [[Rett Syndrome]]. | ||
*Causes | *Causes | ||
| − | + | Scientists have not found the exact cause of ASD, although most would agree that there is a genetic basis. Some disorders in the spectrum have been found already and there are simple diagnostic tests that can be done to see if the child has this specific disorder, such as in [[Rett Syndrome]]. | |
| + | The difficulty in finding the cause of ASD partially lies in its definition, and partially on the complex interplay between genes that happens during development. Two patients with ASD can present very similar symptoms and yet have different defective genes or causes. For example, [[Rett Syndrome]] is caused by mutations in the gene MeCP2 on an X chromosome while Tuberous Sclerosis is caused by mutations in TSC1 and TSC2. It should be noted that both Rett Syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis are very rare. | ||
| + | Furthermore, | ||
===Core Deficits=== | ===Core Deficits=== | ||
Revision as of 13:11, 5 March 2009
Contents
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Basic Characteristics
- Description
Autism Spectrum Disorders is a clinical description that the developmental disorders which are characterized by impaired language development, social development, and learning. Children with ASD have extremely delayed development. Symptoms of this disorder usually start to appear between 12 to 36 months and can possibly (though not necessarily) include not babbling by 12 months, not speaking by 16 months, or a gradual loss of language or social skills. All children with ASD show deficits in social interactions, verbal and nonverbal communication. They may also show repetitive behaviors or interests or aggressive behavior.
Although all children with ASD show similar deficits, the depth of these deficits can range drastically. Some have very mild deficits like in Asperger's Syndrome, where children have high levels of vocabulary and language skills compared to other disorders in the spectrum. Others may have little to no spoken language functionality, such as in Rett Syndrome.
- Causes
Scientists have not found the exact cause of ASD, although most would agree that there is a genetic basis. Some disorders in the spectrum have been found already and there are simple diagnostic tests that can be done to see if the child has this specific disorder, such as in Rett Syndrome.
The difficulty in finding the cause of ASD partially lies in its definition, and partially on the complex interplay between genes that happens during development. Two patients with ASD can present very similar symptoms and yet have different defective genes or causes. For example, Rett Syndrome is caused by mutations in the gene MeCP2 on an X chromosome while Tuberous Sclerosis is caused by mutations in TSC1 and TSC2. It should be noted that both Rett Syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis are very rare.
Furthermore,
Core Deficits
Those who have ASD have identifiable core deficits recognized by scientists and clinicians.
- Core Deficit of Joint Attention
- Core Deficit of Social Communication
- Repetitive behaviors or interests
- History
- References
Related Information
- Task or test associated with this construct (vote for your favorite, or nominate a new one by editing this page):
- Indicators (dependent variables, conditions, or contrasts; measurement variables used for analysis) associated with this construct (vote or nominate by editing this page):
- Closely related pages (vote or nominate related pages by editing this page):
- CNP Level
- Syndrome
External Resources
- Links out:
- Google: ADHD
- Wikipedia: ADHD
- PubMed: ADHD
- -ucla cognitive atlas- (coming soon!)
- Database links
