BCAT Autism Spectrum Disorder Knowledge 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the DSM-5, autism spectrum disorder is characterized by deficits in which two core domains?
- Social communication and restricted/repetitive behaviors (Correct answer)
- Language development and cognitive functioning
- Sensory processing and motor coordination
- Executive functioning and emotional regulation
Correct answer: Social communication and restricted/repetitive behaviors
The DSM-5 defines ASD by persistent deficits in social communication/interaction and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior.
Question 2: A child with ASD engages in hand-flapping when excited. This behavior is best classified as:
- A self-injurious behavior requiring immediate intervention
- A stereotyped motor movement, a form of restricted/repetitive behavior (Correct answer)
- A communicative gesture that should be encouraged
- A sign of sensory processing disorder unrelated to ASD
Correct answer: A stereotyped motor movement, a form of restricted/repetitive behavior
Hand-flapping is a stereotyped/repetitive motor movement, which falls under the restricted and repetitive behaviors criterion of ASD.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes 'theory of mind' deficits in individuals with ASD?
- Difficulty understanding cause-and-effect relationships
- Impaired ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others (Correct answer)
- Reduced working memory capacity
- Inability to form long-term memories
Correct answer: Impaired ability to attribute mental states to oneself and others
Theory of mind deficits refer to difficulty understanding that others have thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives different from one's own.
Question 4: Sensory hyper-reactivity in a child with ASD is best described as:
- Seeking out intense sensory input to feel stimulated
- An unusually strong response to sensory stimuli that others find mild (Correct answer)
- Reduced sensitivity to pain compared to neurotypical peers
- Inability to process any sensory input without distress
Correct answer: An unusually strong response to sensory stimuli that others find mild
Hyper-reactivity means an exaggerated or heightened response to sensory stimuli that most people would not find aversive.
Question 5: Which early developmental red flag for ASD is most commonly identified by 12 months of age?
- Absence of single words
- Lack of joint attention and pointing (Correct answer)
- Loss of previously acquired academic skills
- Refusal to participate in parallel play
Correct answer: Lack of joint attention and pointing
Lack of joint attention (sharing focus on objects/events with others) and pointing are key early social-communication red flags by 12 months.
Question 6: A BCAT observes that a client insists on taking the same route to school every day and becomes severely distressed when the route changes. This is an example of:
- Oppositional defiant behavior
- Inflexible adherence to routines, a restricted/repetitive behavior (Correct answer)
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Avoidant/restrictive food intake
Correct answer: Inflexible adherence to routines, a restricted/repetitive behavior
Insistence on sameness and inflexible adherence to routines is a core feature of restricted/repetitive behaviors in ASD.
Question 7: The term 'echolalia' in the context of ASD refers to:
- Repeating sounds heard in the environment such as music or alarms
- Repeating words or phrases previously heard, either immediately or after a delay (Correct answer)
- A form of selective mutism where the child only speaks to certain people
- Using scripted greetings learned from social stories
Correct answer: Repeating words or phrases previously heard, either immediately or after a delay
Echolalia is the repetition of words or phrases from another person or media, and can be immediate (just heard) or delayed.
BCAT Autism Spectrum Disorder Knowledge 2
According to the DSM-5, autism spectrum disorder is characterized by deficits in which two core domains?