QASP EXAM PREP AUTISM CORE KNOWLEDGE
Describe why Autism is considered a spectrum disorder - Answers :ASD is a
neurodevelopmental condition that is complex to define and diagnose. The rationale for
using a dimensional rather than a categorical concept of ASD is that a single umbrella
term of ASD, with specific information about the level of expression, is more accurate
and consistent with the research literature and clinical experience.
Identify the historical definitions of Autism - Answers :Autism was considered to be an
expression of schizophrenia or psychosis in childhood and the cause to be the mother
not loving the child
Identify the currently accepted prevalence rates of Autism - Answers :1 in 59 children
Identify what is meant by the triad of impairments - Answers :social communication,
social interaction, repetitive/restricted (imagination)
Social Communication - Answers :Difficulties in communicating vary widely and they
can be verbal and non-verbal. Many have a literal understanding of language and
therefore they think people always mean what they say. Something as simple as body
language can be totally alien to people with autism.
Problems with social communication may show:
o not fully understanding the meaning of facial expressions, common gestures or tone
of voice
o echolalia (repetition of what has been said in a different context)
o difficulties in understanding jokes and sarcasm
o making up words
o unusual patterns of verbal communication
o inappropriate tone of voice
o difficulty differentiating between "I" and "you"
o lack of gestures and facial expressions
o having a literal understanding of language, for example, with sayings or expressions
such as "it is raining cats and dogs", or "kill two birds with one stone".
Social Interaction - Answers :Problems with social interaction may show:
o a lack of interest in others
o being aloof, distant and not paying attention
o being alone and withdrawn
o using inappropriate or strange social behavior because they find it difficult to express
feelings, needs or emotions
o a lack of social skills
o difficulties in making and maintaining friendships
o lack of understanding about friendship or strangers.
Repetive/Restrictive (Imagination) - Answers :Through social imagination we are able to
predict and understand other people's behaviour, thoughts and feelings, imagine
, situations outside our immediate daily routine or comprehend ideas that might be a bit
abstract.
Problems with social imagination may show:
o difficulty in the development of imaginative play where a preference for acting out the
same scenes each time is noted
o difficulty in understanding how others think, feel and react
o problems with imagination in general
o problems with predicting actions or events in the future
o putting up with new or unfamiliar situations
o understanding concepts such as danger or threat.
Demonstrate an understanding of the possible causes of Autism - Answers :-Genetics
-Environment
-early childhood
-metabolism
-infections in pregnancy
Identify the common characteristics of Autism - Answers :-Persistent deficits in social
communication and social interaction across multiple contexts.
-Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities.
-The symptoms are present in the early developmental period
-Clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of
current functioning
-These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability or global
developmental delay
Demonstrate an understanding of all the aspects of Autism - Answers :Social
Reasoning-Use to be known as Asperger's
Language Abilities-unable to connect through oral-motor abilities
Cognition-intellectual impairment
Special Interests-perseverating
Sensory Sensitivity-sound, hearing etc.
Expression and Management of Emotions-express, label emotions, read facial
expressions
Identify the common functions of behavior - Answers :-Sensory (Automatic Self-
Stimulatory)
-Escape
-Attention
-Tangible (Access)
Identify the Main Causes of Behavior - Answers :Access and Escape
Describe what a target behavior is - Answers :
Describe why Autism is considered a spectrum disorder - Answers :ASD is a
neurodevelopmental condition that is complex to define and diagnose. The rationale for
using a dimensional rather than a categorical concept of ASD is that a single umbrella
term of ASD, with specific information about the level of expression, is more accurate
and consistent with the research literature and clinical experience.
Identify the historical definitions of Autism - Answers :Autism was considered to be an
expression of schizophrenia or psychosis in childhood and the cause to be the mother
not loving the child
Identify the currently accepted prevalence rates of Autism - Answers :1 in 59 children
Identify what is meant by the triad of impairments - Answers :social communication,
social interaction, repetitive/restricted (imagination)
Social Communication - Answers :Difficulties in communicating vary widely and they
can be verbal and non-verbal. Many have a literal understanding of language and
therefore they think people always mean what they say. Something as simple as body
language can be totally alien to people with autism.
Problems with social communication may show:
o not fully understanding the meaning of facial expressions, common gestures or tone
of voice
o echolalia (repetition of what has been said in a different context)
o difficulties in understanding jokes and sarcasm
o making up words
o unusual patterns of verbal communication
o inappropriate tone of voice
o difficulty differentiating between "I" and "you"
o lack of gestures and facial expressions
o having a literal understanding of language, for example, with sayings or expressions
such as "it is raining cats and dogs", or "kill two birds with one stone".
Social Interaction - Answers :Problems with social interaction may show:
o a lack of interest in others
o being aloof, distant and not paying attention
o being alone and withdrawn
o using inappropriate or strange social behavior because they find it difficult to express
feelings, needs or emotions
o a lack of social skills
o difficulties in making and maintaining friendships
o lack of understanding about friendship or strangers.
Repetive/Restrictive (Imagination) - Answers :Through social imagination we are able to
predict and understand other people's behaviour, thoughts and feelings, imagine
, situations outside our immediate daily routine or comprehend ideas that might be a bit
abstract.
Problems with social imagination may show:
o difficulty in the development of imaginative play where a preference for acting out the
same scenes each time is noted
o difficulty in understanding how others think, feel and react
o problems with imagination in general
o problems with predicting actions or events in the future
o putting up with new or unfamiliar situations
o understanding concepts such as danger or threat.
Demonstrate an understanding of the possible causes of Autism - Answers :-Genetics
-Environment
-early childhood
-metabolism
-infections in pregnancy
Identify the common characteristics of Autism - Answers :-Persistent deficits in social
communication and social interaction across multiple contexts.
-Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities.
-The symptoms are present in the early developmental period
-Clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of
current functioning
-These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability or global
developmental delay
Demonstrate an understanding of all the aspects of Autism - Answers :Social
Reasoning-Use to be known as Asperger's
Language Abilities-unable to connect through oral-motor abilities
Cognition-intellectual impairment
Special Interests-perseverating
Sensory Sensitivity-sound, hearing etc.
Expression and Management of Emotions-express, label emotions, read facial
expressions
Identify the common functions of behavior - Answers :-Sensory (Automatic Self-
Stimulatory)
-Escape
-Attention
-Tangible (Access)
Identify the Main Causes of Behavior - Answers :Access and Escape
Describe what a target behavior is - Answers :
