Mental Health Services and Autism Spectrum Disorders Ann M. Neumeyer, MD Medical Director, Lurie Center / LADDERS Associate Pediatrician and Neurologist Massachusetts General Hospital Assistant Professor in Neurology Harvard Medical School March 28, 2011
Mental Health Services and Autism Spectrum Disorders Ann M. Neumeyer, MD Medical Director, Lurie Center / LADDERS Associate Pediatrician and Neurologist.
Jan 13, 2016
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Mental Health Services and Autism Spectrum Disorders
Ann M. Neumeyer, MDMedical Director, Lurie Center / LADDERS Associate Pediatrician and NeurologistMassachusetts General Hospital Assistant Professor in NeurologyHarvard Medical School
March 28, 2011
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Communication
Atypical BehaviorsSocial Interaction
Causes of Autism
• Genetic • Neurochemical• Neurobiology• Functional changes• Prenatal factors
Genetic
–Many genetic abnormalities can cause autism
–Diseases associated with autism• Rett Syndrome
• Tuberous sclerosis
• Fragile X syndrome
• Angelman Syndrome
–Males > Females (4.5:1)–There is no one “autism” gene
Neurochemical
• Monoamines• Glutamate• Alpha amino hydroxybutyrate• Neuropeptides• Oxytocin
Neurobiology
• Neuroanatomic Changes- Bauman and Kemper, 1984 • Cortical, callosal and limbic abnormalities, amygdala,
fusiform gyrus• MRI/ PET studies: Cortical White Matter
Functional Changes
–Functional MRI–Autonomic Nervous System
People with Autism have different brains
Increased likelihood of mental health issues
Mental health disease and Autism
• Depression• Anxiety• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and features• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder• Aggression
• Intellectual Disability is not a part of 38%!!!!
Approach to treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Speech andOccupational
Therapy
Psychopharm.Treatment
EducationBehaviorTherapy
Vocational Skills
Training
Social SkillsTherapy
MedicalNeurological
Treatment
Improved Function
Results of Treatments?
• Less mental illness• Improved adaptive functioning
–Communication–Social Skills–Vocational skills
• Improved Learning• More independent living skills
• Higher functioning in our society• Lower cost to state
The Solution?
• Work together • Wrap around services
Collaborative Integrated Care
Medical Care
Education
Mental/ BehavioralHealth Care
Dedication
To the many children and their families who have taught me about autism.
Special thanks to Dr Margaret Bauman
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