3 Neurodiversity Flashcards
what are the 3 models of disability?
Impairment = structural diff in way their brain/body works.
Medical = impairment causes disability.
Social = society causes the disability due to barriers in place.
who coined the term autism?
eugen bleuler, 1911.
what does the national autistic society UK describe autism as?
lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate + interact w/ the world.
DSM 5 criteria for ASD? (5)
difficulties in social comm + interaction.
restricted + repetitive behaviours.
symptoms present from early age.
symptoms must cause sig impairments.
symptoms aren’t better exp by diff disorder.
what are disorders associated w/ ASD?
intellectual disability, anxiety, depression.
what are meltdowns + shutdowns + stimming?
meltdowns (outward) + shutdowns (inward)= behavioural response to overload, changes in routine, differ from person to person.
stimming = repeated actions that vary from person to person - distract from sensory overload/ provide sensory input/ just enjoyable.
how many people are diagnosed w/ autism?
> 1 in 100 UK.
1 in 36 US.
males 4x more likely.
Aetiology of autism?
older - related to schizophrenia “refrigerator mums”.
neurodevelopmental - maternal infection during pregnancy, maternal use of drugs, difficult birth, older parents.
neurobio - changes in amygdala function.
Treatment for autism?
No cure.
Not universal - tailored to individual.
behavioural support, speech therapy, occupational therapy.
drugs - antidepressants, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, stimulants.
what treatment for ASD was criticised?
applied behaviour analysis - used rewards + punishments.
“train autism out”.
What is ADHD?
neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by restlessness, poor conc, impulsivity.
what’s a common comorbidity of ADHD?
ASD - some symptom overlap.
CDC - 64% have comorbid condition.
DSM 5 for ADHD? (5)
Symptoms in group a/b/both - a = inattention, must have for 6 months + impact functioning.
-b = hyperactivity + impulsivity.
Several of symptoms present to age 12.
Present in at least 2 settings.
Qual of academic, social, occupational func is impaired.
Symptoms not better exp by another disorder.
How many are diagnosed w/ ADHD?
5% of children UK.
CDC - 7.2% of US.
males 2x more likely.
3.5% UK adults.
Aetiology of ADHD?
High heritable but no single gene/
environment - low birth weight, maternal smoking/alcohol, brain injury, lead exposure, food colouring?
neurobio of ADHD?
reduction in brain vol.
structural changes in PFC, striatum - involved in attention + behavioural regulation.
maybe reduced NA levels.
Treatment for ADHD?
<5yrs = behavioural management therapy, training for parents, environmental modifications.
>5 - maybe meds.
adults = environmental modifications, meds, psych interventions.
what are some meds used to treat ADHD?
ritalin, dexamfetamine, atomexin - DAT/NET inhibitors.
Modafinil - DAT inhibitor.
Effects on histamine transmission.
what’s Tourette syndrome (TS)?
tic disorder.
what are tics?
Involuntary actions, motor/vocal.
simple = limited no of body parts, complex = multiple.
freq preceded by premonitory urge.
DSM 5 criteria for TS?
multiple motor + vocal tics, many times per day for at least a yr. began before 18, not due to another cause.
How many have TS?
once thought rare.
freq now thought to be 1%.
tics most severe at 10-12 yrs.
decline during adolescence but may persist into andulthood.
Aetiology of TS?
Risk is heritable - 50-75% in MZ, 23% in DZ.
No definitive TS genes identified.
excess dopaminergic transmission.
Environment - paternal age, difficult birth, low birthweight, maternal drug use during pregnancy.
Treatment of TS?
not all want treatment.
behavioural approaches/ coping strategies.
more severe cases require meds - dopamine D2 antagonists (haloperidol, nicotine).
