Melissa Schultz

Mayo Clinic, M.D., pediatric and adolescent medicine

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

Thanks so much for having me on! #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

I have also found the website http://t.co/K5c6BNs7uf very helpful
#autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

Autism speaks is a great community and resource for parents/families of children with autism. #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

T6: Differences in social engagement (eye contact, imitation of facial expressions), sharing interests #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

@AlyciaHalladay Absolutley. This has happened already often in my practice. All patients have continued to meet DSM5 criteria #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

@nhanson22 There had been concern in the community that children will lose services but this should not be the case. #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

T5: The hope is that therapy will not be impacted as it should be individualized. #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

T5: Autism, Aspergers and PDD-NOS will all be called Autism Spectrum Disorder. #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

T5: Per prelim studies, the DSM 5 should not impact the number or type of children who are being diagnosed. #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

@ShirleySWangWSJ Absolutely! I'm interested to learn more. #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

T4: I have not seen any raised concerns about missed diagnoses in girls... #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

T4: ASD and normal intelligence is very "male heavy" while IQ < 70 has more equality between girls and boys #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

T4: Because there is such a difference in the rates of autism between boys and girls we hope this may help unlock the "why"? #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

RT @DrBrianLynch: t3: Therapies can be very expensive and should be evidence-based and safe #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

@ShirleySWangWSJ The diagnosis can affect life in adults - response to unexpected changes, answering to your boss... #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

T3: SOme medications are directed towards comorbid symptoms of autism like inattention, aggression, anxiety or hyperactivity... #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

@nhanson22 With appropriate support some children have improved enough to no longer qualify for the diagnosis. #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

T3: Often best treatments for autism are strongly behavior/therapy targeted and directed towards specific needs of each child. #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

T3: Unfortunately, because autism isn't related to one cause or neurologic deficit, there are no specific biomedical "cures". #autismchat

[Melissa Schultz @DrMelSchultz]

T2: Most likely autism is related to an interplay of genetics, epigenetics and possibly prenatal exposures/environment... #autismchat