Special Topics: Adult ASD Final Exam
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Explain what makes the earliest studies for individuals with ASD different from the more recent
studies of the issue (starting from the 2000s onwards). - CORRECT ANSWER - The earliest
studies have vague and unreliable scales of what is the outcome for people with Autism, while
the studies conducted from the early 2000s to now have more rigorous and empirical measures
with the use of independence in residential placement, employment, and relationships as a basis
for these studies.
What are some ways to change outcome measures to more accurately determine positive versus
negative "outcomes" for adults with ASD? - CORRECT ANSWER - Criteria based on
independence; Take into account how the individual experiences independence; Is independence
congruent with the individual's desires and functional abilities?; Focus more on qualitative
responses
What are some of the limitations with comparing ASD outcome studies across decades? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Criteria for success has changed over time, ASD diagnosis has
changed over time, (classical Autism v. ASD).
What is the purpose of the Developmental Disabilities (DD) services? What are some of the
types of services provided to transition-aged and/or adults with ASD? - CORRECT
ANSWER - -The aim of DD services is to improve the well-being and participation of people
with ASD in the community
-Some services provided include dental care, residential, transportation, vocational, and mental
health services.
-Currently there stands to be insufficient funding for those services for adults with ASD.
Additionally, services and funding vary from state to state.
Many studies mention self-reporting to have limitations to ASD studies. Many studies also
mention pros and cons to caregiver interview/surveys. What is one con and one pro to each
research method? - CORRECT ANSWER - Self-reporting pros - we get to/should hear from
those who are directly affected
,Self-reporting cons - bias due to ASD population possibly having more difficult time describing
their emotions, thoughts, and feelings or having limited insight; can only know what participant
wants to share; are limited in knowledge based on questions asked and options provided
Caregiver pros - can identify different perspective or include issues individuals with ASD may
not
Caregiver cons - could be really stressed out and focusing on negative; could really care for child
and give too positive answers; are also still limited in knowledge based on questions asked and
options provided
Which of these receives the lowest funding in terms of research on autism?
a) Vocational skills
b) Lifespan issues
c) Societal acceptance
d) Mental and emotional health - CORRECT ANSWER - b) Lifespan issues
According to the Adult Consumer Survey (ACS), most adults with autism spectrum disorder
(ASD) live:
a) in an institution
b) with parents or relatives
c) in a group home
d) independently - CORRECT ANSWER - b) with parents or relatives
According to Gotham (2015), adults with ASD and their caregivers place the most emphasis on
what as a priority for future research?
a) Societal understanding and acceptance
b) Romantic relationships
c) Causes of ASD
, d) Transportation access - CORRECT ANSWER - a) Societal understanding and acceptance
What were some of the differences found between the self-reporting subsamples (SR) and the
legally represented subsamples (LR) in the paper by Gotham et al. (2015)?
a) The LR group is thought to represent less cognitively able adults in comparison to the SR
group.
b) Both the SR group and the LR group placed priority on improving health care access and
current treatments.
c) Both SR group and LR group placed priority on increasing understanding and acceptance of
adults with ASD. (reference table 6, pg. 802)
d) All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER - d) All of the above
According to Henninger and Taylor, what aspect of measuring ASD outcomes was missing from
early studies (pre early 2000s)?
a) Consideration of the fit between the individual and their environment
b) Focus on employment
c) Defining criteria with labels like "good, fair, poor, and very poor"
d) Inclusion of IQ and language development - CORRECT ANSWER - a) Consideration of
the fit between the individual and their environment
What are some possible factors that impact mental health in individuals with autism? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Some possible factors that impact mental health in autism are, lack of
understanding of ASD in others, which sometimes leaves others to make assumptions that are not
accurate. Another factor is an individual's experiences and perception of autism acceptance. And
a third factor is sensory sensitivities, which impacts anxiety in adults with autism.
What are some reasons for co-occurring psychiatric disorders in adults with autism? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Shared pathophysiology or cause, consequences of living with ASD
conditions, shared or overlapping symptoms dimensions and underlying mechanisms, and
overlapping diagnostic criteria.
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Explain what makes the earliest studies for individuals with ASD different from the more recent
studies of the issue (starting from the 2000s onwards). - CORRECT ANSWER - The earliest
studies have vague and unreliable scales of what is the outcome for people with Autism, while
the studies conducted from the early 2000s to now have more rigorous and empirical measures
with the use of independence in residential placement, employment, and relationships as a basis
for these studies.
What are some ways to change outcome measures to more accurately determine positive versus
negative "outcomes" for adults with ASD? - CORRECT ANSWER - Criteria based on
independence; Take into account how the individual experiences independence; Is independence
congruent with the individual's desires and functional abilities?; Focus more on qualitative
responses
What are some of the limitations with comparing ASD outcome studies across decades? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Criteria for success has changed over time, ASD diagnosis has
changed over time, (classical Autism v. ASD).
What is the purpose of the Developmental Disabilities (DD) services? What are some of the
types of services provided to transition-aged and/or adults with ASD? - CORRECT
ANSWER - -The aim of DD services is to improve the well-being and participation of people
with ASD in the community
-Some services provided include dental care, residential, transportation, vocational, and mental
health services.
-Currently there stands to be insufficient funding for those services for adults with ASD.
Additionally, services and funding vary from state to state.
Many studies mention self-reporting to have limitations to ASD studies. Many studies also
mention pros and cons to caregiver interview/surveys. What is one con and one pro to each
research method? - CORRECT ANSWER - Self-reporting pros - we get to/should hear from
those who are directly affected
,Self-reporting cons - bias due to ASD population possibly having more difficult time describing
their emotions, thoughts, and feelings or having limited insight; can only know what participant
wants to share; are limited in knowledge based on questions asked and options provided
Caregiver pros - can identify different perspective or include issues individuals with ASD may
not
Caregiver cons - could be really stressed out and focusing on negative; could really care for child
and give too positive answers; are also still limited in knowledge based on questions asked and
options provided
Which of these receives the lowest funding in terms of research on autism?
a) Vocational skills
b) Lifespan issues
c) Societal acceptance
d) Mental and emotional health - CORRECT ANSWER - b) Lifespan issues
According to the Adult Consumer Survey (ACS), most adults with autism spectrum disorder
(ASD) live:
a) in an institution
b) with parents or relatives
c) in a group home
d) independently - CORRECT ANSWER - b) with parents or relatives
According to Gotham (2015), adults with ASD and their caregivers place the most emphasis on
what as a priority for future research?
a) Societal understanding and acceptance
b) Romantic relationships
c) Causes of ASD
, d) Transportation access - CORRECT ANSWER - a) Societal understanding and acceptance
What were some of the differences found between the self-reporting subsamples (SR) and the
legally represented subsamples (LR) in the paper by Gotham et al. (2015)?
a) The LR group is thought to represent less cognitively able adults in comparison to the SR
group.
b) Both the SR group and the LR group placed priority on improving health care access and
current treatments.
c) Both SR group and LR group placed priority on increasing understanding and acceptance of
adults with ASD. (reference table 6, pg. 802)
d) All of the above - CORRECT ANSWER - d) All of the above
According to Henninger and Taylor, what aspect of measuring ASD outcomes was missing from
early studies (pre early 2000s)?
a) Consideration of the fit between the individual and their environment
b) Focus on employment
c) Defining criteria with labels like "good, fair, poor, and very poor"
d) Inclusion of IQ and language development - CORRECT ANSWER - a) Consideration of
the fit between the individual and their environment
What are some possible factors that impact mental health in individuals with autism? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Some possible factors that impact mental health in autism are, lack of
understanding of ASD in others, which sometimes leaves others to make assumptions that are not
accurate. Another factor is an individual's experiences and perception of autism acceptance. And
a third factor is sensory sensitivities, which impacts anxiety in adults with autism.
What are some reasons for co-occurring psychiatric disorders in adults with autism? -
CORRECT ANSWER - Shared pathophysiology or cause, consequences of living with ASD
conditions, shared or overlapping symptoms dimensions and underlying mechanisms, and
overlapping diagnostic criteria.
