Question 1

How could you ethically design a scientific study to determine whether mercury-containing vaccines cause ASD?

Accepted Answer

The best option is to compare rates of ASDs in children receiving vaccines with mercury-containing substances to rates of ASDs in children who have not received such vaccines. They should mention that the two groups should be similar in other parameters, such as gender. Students may note that it is unethical to do experiments on humans where there is some danger of causing lasting harm. They may also be aware that, at present, there is no known similar condition in other animals.

Question 2

Which of the following is not one of the diagnostic criteria for ASDs?

Accepted Answer

A)  impairments in social behavior 
B)  impairments in communication 
C)  aggressive behaviors 
D)  repetitive behaviors 
A)  impairments in social behavior 
B)  impairments in communication 
C)  aggressive behaviors 
D)  repetitive behaviors C

Question 3

The most reliable diagnostic tool for autism spectrum disorders is ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  neuroimaging 
B)  observation 
C)  genetic testing 
D)  the use of screening tests 
A)  neuroimaging 
B)  observation 
C)  genetic testing 
D)  the use of screening tests D

Question 4

What therapies can be used for individuals with ASDs?

Accepted Answer

Possible answers include educational int

Question 5

Which of these statements concerning autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  ASDs affect girls more frequently than boys. 
B)  Symptoms typically appear by age 1 to 3 years. 
C)  They last a lifetime. 
D)  They can be associated with other medical conditions. 
A)  ASDs affect girls more frequently than boys. 
B)  Symptoms typically appear by age 1 to 3 years. 
C)  They last a lifetime. 
D)  They can be associated with other medical conditions.

Question 6

Explain the two main types of studies that showed the genetic basis of ASDs.

Accepted Answer

First, family studies involving non-twin

Question 7

Which of the following is most likely to increase the risks of ASD?

Accepted Answer

A)  poor parenting 
B)  exposure to environmental chemicals during pregnancy 
C)  vaccination with the MMR vaccine 
D)  all of the above 
A)  poor parenting 
B)  exposure to environmental chemicals during pregnancy 
C)  vaccination with the MMR vaccine 
D)  all of the above

Question 8

Normally, children cannot easily make understandable sentences until they are ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  8 months old 
B)  12 months old 
C)  24 months old 
D)  36 months old 
A)  8 months old 
B)  12 months old 
C)  24 months old 
D)  36 months old

Question 9

Describe some of the environmental risk factors associated with ASDs.

Accepted Answer

Potential answers include the uterine en

Question 10

A large percentage of the public believes that vaccines play a role in the development of autism. What information would you use to explain to a friend that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that vaccines cause autism? What resources might you use to support your explanation?

Accepted Answer

Possible answers include the following.

Question 11

Which of the following is most likely an accurate description of the genetic influences on ASD?

Accepted Answer

A)  monozygotic 
B)  recessive, sex-linked 
C)  autosomal and epistatic 
D)  probably multi-genetic 
A)  monozygotic 
B)  recessive, sex-linked 
C)  autosomal and epistatic 
D)  probably multi-genetic

Question 12

Sandy could be very disruptive in her first-grade class. She sometimes would scream and use foul language when she was frustrated; she mostly kept her hands to her side while interacting with her friends in the playground; and she would stare right into the eyes of her teacher when he was explaining lessons. Her teacher, at his wit's end, complained to the principal that Sandy was autistic. Do you agree or disagree with the teacher? Explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

Every one of these complaints

Question 13

Hypotheses for the cause of autism spectrum disorders include or have included in the past ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  vaccinations 
B)  aberrant parenting 
C)  genetics 
D)  all of the above 
A)  vaccinations 
B)  aberrant parenting 
C)  genetics 
D)  all of the above

Question 14

Autism is characterized by ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  impaired communication skills 
B)  unusual patterns of behavior 
C)  poor social skills 
D)  all of the above 
A)  impaired communication skills 
B)  unusual patterns of behavior 
C)  poor social skills 
D)  all of the above

Question 15

This mercury-containing chemical was once found in vaccines and thought to cause autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Accepted Answer

A)  thiamin 
B)  thimerosol 
C)  PDD-NOS 
D)  thalidomide 
A)  thiamin 
B)  thimerosol 
C)  PDD-NOS 
D)  thalidomide

Exam 26: Special Topic: Autism Spectrum Disorder

How could you ethically design a scientific study to determine whether mercury-containing vaccines cause ASD?

Which of the following is not one of the diagnostic criteria for ASDs?

The most reliable diagnostic tool for autism spectrum disorders is ________.

What therapies can be used for individuals with ASDs?

Which of these statements concerning autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is false?

Explain the two main types of studies that showed the genetic basis of ASDs.

Which of the following is most likely to increase the risks of ASD?

Normally, children cannot easily make understandable sentences until they are ________.

Describe some of the environmental risk factors associated with ASDs.

A large percentage of the public believes that vaccines play a role in the development of autism. What information would you use to explain to a friend that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that vaccines cause autism? What resources might you use to support your explanation?

Which of the following is most likely an accurate description of the genetic influences on ASD?

Hypotheses for the cause of autism spectrum disorders include or have included in the past ________.

Autism is characterized by ________.

This mercury-containing chemical was once found in vaccines and thought to cause autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

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