Question 1

What is a key indicator of the outcome for autistic children?

Accepted Answer

Fairly good language skills are a key indicator of positive outcomes for autistic children, as communication abilities are often a significant challenge for those with autism. A lack of self-stimulation, lack of facial abnormalities, and normal motor development are not necessarily key indicators of outcomes for autistic children.

Question 2

Research by Lovaas on an intensive behavioral program for autism found that participants showed increased

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research by Lovaas on an intensive behavioral...

Question 3

An expert on autistic disorder has been invited to give a presentation on the current status of drug treatments for this disorder. Which of the following is the best title for this presentation?

Accepted Answer

The best title for the presentation would be "Drugs: Little evidence for effectiveness" because currently there is limited research supporting the use of medication as a primary intervention for autism. While some medications may be used to treat specific symptoms such as anxiety or aggression, there is no cure for autism and medication should not be viewed as a one-size-fits-all treatment. This title accurately reflects the current understanding of drug treatments for autism. The other options suggest a more optimistic or simplistic view of medication for autism which is not supported by current research.

Question 4

When five-year-old Aliens began elementary school the teachers noticed that compared to other children his interests and activities were restricted and he did not interact with other children. His motor behavior was often stereotyped and repetitive, and he appeared clumsy when he walked. A battery of psychological tests reveals no evidence of mental retardation. Based on his age and symptoms, which disorder would mental health professionals suspect in this case?

Accepted Answer

Asperger's disorder is characterized by restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and difficulties in social interaction, without significant delays in cognitive development or language skills, which aligns with the symptoms described for Aliens.

Question 5

What is one of the major differences between autistic disorder and Asperger's disorder?

Accepted Answer

One of the major differences between autistic disorder and Asperger's disorder is that there are no significant delays in language in Asperger's disorder. Individuals with autistic disorder typically experience delays in language development, whereas those with Asperger's disorder may have advanced language skills but struggle with social communication.

Question 6

Problems with social use of language, motor clumsiness, and speech that is stilted and repetitive are symptoms of:

Accepted Answer

Asperger's disorder is characterized by problems with social use of language, motor clumsiness, and speech that is stilted and repetitive, distinguishing it from other disorders listed.

Question 7

Which of the following fits the typical pattern on an intelligence test administered to someone with Asperger's disorder?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with Asperger's disorder usually have strengths in nonverbal reasoning, spatial skills, and other performance-based tasks, while struggling with verbal skills, communication, and social interaction. Therefore, the most likely pattern on an intelligence test would be an average IQ score with significantly higher verbal scores than performance scores.

Question 8

Which of the following disorders is extremely rare; occurring only once in every million births?

Accepted Answer

Childhood disintegrative disorder is extremely rare, with an occurrence of about 1 in every 100,000 to 1 in every 1,000,000 births.

Question 9

For the first five months of life, Jessica seemed to be developing normally. Then, her head gradually began to stop growing; a pediatrician described her condition as microcephaly. She demonstrated impaired language development, poor coordination, and a loss of social interactions. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Rett's disorder is characterized by normal initial development followed by a loss of previously acquired skills, microcephaly, poor coordination, and impaired language and social skills, fitting the description provided.

Question 10

Which of these children is most likely to receive the diagnosis of Rett's disorder for the first time?

Accepted Answer

Rett's disorder is a genetic disorder that typically affects females and usually becomes apparent around 6-18 months of age when developmental milestones such as crawling and babbling are not met. Therefore, the youngest child, Ann, is the most likely to receive the diagnosis of Rett's disorder for the first time.

Question 11

Luanne presented with a normal developmental history. However, at 6 months of age the development of her head slowed. Language development and social skills began to diminish. She began to tap her hands. She is in the early stages of:

Accepted Answer

The symptoms presented suggest Rett's disorder, a neurological disorder that primarily affects females and typically appears in infancy or early childhood. It is characterized by normal development until around 6-18 months when language and social skills begin to diminish, along with the loss of purposeful hand movements and the development of repetitive hand movements such as tapping or wringing. Head circumference may also slow, but it is not the defining symptom. Childhood schizophrenia and Mosanicism are not appropriate diagnoses based on the symptoms presented.

Question 12

Which of the following pervasive developmental disorders typically occurs in females only?

Accepted Answer

Rett's disorder is a rare genetic disorder that almost exclusively occurs in females. It is caused by a mutation on the X chromosome and is usually not seen in males because it is lethal in most cases. Symptoms of Rett's disorder typically begin to appear between six and 18 months of age and include developmental regression, loss of communication and motor skills, and repetitive hand movements.

Question 13

You are asked to give a report on childhood disintegrative disorder and Rett's disorder. After reviewing information on both disorders, what similarity will you include in your report?

Accepted Answer

Both childhood disintegrative disorder and Rett's disorder involve a regression or loss of previously acquired developmental milestones after a period of typical development. This distinguishes them from other developmental disorders that may be present from birth or infancy. However, neither disorder is inherited via a dominant gene, both can occur in both males and females, and while there can be health complications associated with Rett's disorder, it does not necessarily shorten life expectancy.

Question 14

A pediatrician and a psychologist are developing a treatment plan for a child who has been diagnosed with Rett's disorder. What caution will they discuss when they consider the use of antipsychotic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic drugs can be used to reduce stereotyped behaviors in individuals with Rett's disorder, but they may increase the frequency of seizures. Additionally, antipsychotic drugs may have other serious side effects in children and should be used with caution. Option A is incorrect because childhood tardive dyskinesia is a potential long-term side effect of antipsychotic use, but it is not expected to lead to death. Option B is incorrect because the treatment for Rett's disorder typically does not involve antidepressants. Option D is incorrect because clozapine is typically used for treatment-resistant cases of schizophrenia and is not considered a primary treatment for Rett's disorder.

Question 15

Childhood autism, Rett's disorder, and Asperger's disorder are considered to be part of:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Childhood autism, Rett's disorder, and Asperger's disorder...

Question 16

Which of the following would not be included in Lorna Wing's grouping of autistic spectrum disorders?

Accepted Answer

Lorna Wing's grouping of autistic spectrum disorders includes passives, loners, and aloofs, but not "unusuals."

Question 17

Epidemiological studies indicate that the number of individuals in the United States who meet the criteria for mental retardation is approximately 1 in every

Accepted Answer

The answer of Epidemiological studies indicate that the number of...

Question 18

Which characteristics are associated with the diagnosis of mental retardation?

Accepted Answer

Mental retardation is diagnosed based on the individual's IQ score and adaptive functioning. A score below 70 on a standardized IQ test indicates below average intelligence, and below average adaptive functioning refers to difficulties in everyday skills such as communication, socialization, and self-care. Brain damage and lack of responsibility are not inherent characteristics of mental retardation. Normal intelligence with below average adaptive functioning would not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of mental retardation.

Question 19

Mental retardation is defined by a significantly below-average level of intelligence that accompanies

Accepted Answer

Mental retardation is defined by both a significantly below-average level of intelligence and impaired adaptive functioning. The other options may be possible co-occurring factors, but impaired adaptive functioning is necessary for a diagnosis of mental retardation.

Question 20

Which of the following is one of the elements of the DSM-IV-TR criteria for identifying mental retardation?

Accepted Answer

The DSM-IV-TR criteria for identifying mental retardation includes an onset prior to age 18. IQ level, documented evidence of brain damage, and failure to develop age-appropriate social interaction skills may also be considered, but are not the primary criteria for diagnosis.

Quiz 16: Pervasive Developmental Disorders and Mental Retardation