Child psychiatry: autism spectrum disorder: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Child psychiatry: autism spectrum disorder

Sample item

A child has persistent difficulty with reciprocal social interaction, limited shared imaginative play, insistence on routines, and highly restricted interests from early development. Which diagnosis is most likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder requires persistent deficits in social communication and interaction together with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interests beginning in early development. Support needs vary widely.

Option by option

  • A. Oppositional defiant disorder

    Oppositional defiant disorder involves an angry, argumentative, or vindictive pattern.

  • B. Autism spectrum disorder (correct)

    Correct. Both social-communication differences and restricted/repetitive behavior are present.

  • C. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

    ADHD is characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity, not this defining dual domain.

  • D. Separation anxiety disorder

    Separation anxiety is excessive fear about separation from attachment figures.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder requires persistent deficits in social communication and interaction together with restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interests beginning in early development.

Why is "Oppositional defiant disorder" not the answer?

Oppositional defiant disorder involves an angry, argumentative, or vindictive pattern.

Why is "Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder" not the answer?

ADHD is characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity, not this defining dual domain.

Why is "Separation anxiety disorder" not the answer?

Separation anxiety is excessive fear about separation from attachment figures.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Child psychiatry: autism spectrum disorder in Psychiatry. Support needs vary widely.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Child psychiatry: autism spectrum disorder?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.