Question

A nurse in an outpatient mental health facility is assessing a child who has autism spectrum disorder. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

a. Fluent and age-appropriate verbal communication.
b. Enhanced ability to understand and navigate social situations.
c. Repetitive behaviors and difficulty with social interactions.
d. Excessive eye contact and heightened sensitivity to touch.

Answer 1

A child with autism spectrum disorder typically demonstrates repetitive behaviors and impaired social interactions, which are characteristic symptoms of ASD.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse assessing a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) should expect to see manifestations including repetitive behaviors and difficulty with social interactions. A characteristic symptom of ASD is impaired social skills, where individuals may have difficulty making and maintaining eye contact, understanding social cues, and feeling empathy for others. Additionally, they may engage in repetitive motor behaviors like rocking back and forth, show preoccupation with specific subjects, adhere to strict rituals, and display unusual language use. It is important to note that because ASD is a spectrum disorder, symptoms can vary greatly from person to person.