Risk Factors
Possible Risk Factors:
- Down’s syndrome
- Fragile X syndrome
- Tuberous sclerosis
- Preterm birth
- Parental schizophrenia
- Valproate exposure
- Epilepsy
- Infantile spasms
- Family history of autism
- ADHD
- Learning disabilities
Range of Coexisting Problems:
- Neurodevelopmental:
- Learning disabilities
- ADHD
- Speech and language issues
- Hearing and visual impairments
- Epilepsy
- Mental Health:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Functional Impairment:
Sleep issues
Diet and nutrition problems
Bladder and bowel control difficulties
- Social:
- Isolation
- Exploitation
- Bullying
- Carer stress
Examination:
- Can be done by the clinician but primarily needs to involve specialist input.
Treatment Process:
- Watchful waiting or referral to the local multidisciplinary team or paediatrics, depending on the situation.
- Reassessment is usually done at age 14 by specialists.
Criteria for Referral:
- Local Multidisciplinary Autism Team:
– Children less than 3 years old with regression of language or social interactions – Impact upon daily living
- Paediatrics:
- Children over 3 years old with language or developmental delays
- Any age with associated motor developmental delays
Differential Diagnoses:
- Attachment disorders
- Conduct disorders
- Rett syndrome
- Epileptic encephalopathy
- Depression
- Anxiety
- OCD
- ADHD