Chapter 14 - Developmental Disorders Flashcards
How did the Ancient Greece respond to the birth of a handicapped child?
They often left them on mountaintops to die or threw them off a cliff.
What is an intellectual disability?
- A generalized delay or impairment in the development of intellectual and adaptive abilities.
- Significantly sub-average intellectual functioning and deficits or impairment in at least two areas of life functioning
What are the IQ ranges for the four levels of mental retardation (DSM IV)?
Mild = 50-55 to 70 Moderate = 35-40 to 50-55 Severe = 20-25 to 35-40 Profound = Below 20-25
When is the typical onset of Intellectual Disability?
Prior to age 18
How does family environment affect the course of a intellectual disability?
Children can improve with support and education. Impoverished environments can cause deterioration
What are the biological causes of intellectual disability?
Chromosomal and genetic disorders, infectious diseases and maternal alcohol use during pregnancy
What are the psychosocial causes of intellectual disability?
Exposure to an impoverished home environment - lack of intellectually stimulating activities during childhood
What is Down Syndrome?
A condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome on the 21st pair and characterized by intellectual disability and various physical anomalies.
How frequently are children with down’s syndrome born?
1 in 700
What is Fragile X syndrome?
An inherited form of intellectual disability caused by a mutated FMR-1 gene on the X chromosome?
How does the occurrence of Fragile X compare to other chromosomal abnormalities that occur intellectual disability?
It is the second most commonly occurring after Down Syndrome
How many children are affected by Fragile X?
Girls = 1 in 2000-2500 Boys = 1 in 1000-1500
What patterns of cognitive functioning does Fragile X cause in males?
Weaknesses in sequential processing of words in a particular order. Strengths in simultaneous processing of information in a holistic fashion
How often does Fragile X cause mental retardation in females?
Approx. 1/3 of females
What is Phenylketonuria (PKU)?
A genetic disorder that prevents the metabolization of phenylpyruvic acid, leading to intellectual disability unless the diet is strictly controlled.
What causes PKU?
A recessive gene that inactivates a liver enzyme, which prevents the child from metabolizing the amino acid phenylalanine, found in many foods
How often does PKU occur?
1 in 10,000-15,000 live births
What are the disorders that can happen due to maternal infection or substance abuse?
Rubella
HIV
FAS
What are some maternal infections that can cause intellectual disability?
syphilis, drug use, cytomegalovirus, and genital herpes
What are some of the cultural-familial causes of intellectual disability?
Most cases are mild with no known biological cause. This is connected to an impoverished family and learning environment
What is a Learning Disorder?
A deficiency in a specific learning ability in the context of normal intelligence and exposure to learning opportunities
How do learning disorders affect those who have them?
Typically chronic and affect development into adulthood.
Children tend to perform poorly in school.
What is a Specific Learning Disorder (DSM-5)
This diagnosis covers any learning disorder involving a significant deficit in skills related to reading, writing, arithmetic, and executive functions
What are the types of learning disorder?
Reading (dyslexia)
Writing
Arithmetic/ Math reasoning
Nonverbal
What are the restrictions on diagnosis?
Must be clear impairment in school performance.
Must not be because of other developmental disorder or mental retardation
What are possible causes of Learning Disabilities?
Subtle central nervous system impairments
What is the occurrence and the usual age of onset for Autism?
1-3 in 1000 live births
Becomes evident between 18-30 months of age
Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by deficits in…
Social Interaction
Verbal/Non-Verbal Communication
Behavior & Interests
What are some of the communication barriers faced by autistic children?
- Approx. 1/2 are mute
- Development of speech by 5 is biggest predictor of a functional outcome
- Speech may be peculiar (echolalia)
What are characteristic of Autism behaviour and interests?
- restricted, repetitive and unusual
- Repetitive movement (rocking)
- Don’t spontaneously seek enjoyment
- lack of social/emotional reciprocity
How does Autism affect intelligence?
- 25% function normally
- Small number are ‘savants’ = exceptional in one area
- most function below a normal range of intelligence
What is Asperger Disorder?
- Similar to Autism. does not have delayed cognitive development
- Difficulties with social skills
- now on Autism Spectrum through DSM-5
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
- a range of autism-related disorders that vary in severity
What are the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder?
- communication deficits
- overly dependent on routines
- highly sensitive to changes in environment
- intensely focused on inappropriate items
How common is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
2% of children in the US are affected by some form of autism
What is the most widely used behavioural treatment for ASD?
operant conditioning that is highly intensive and structured, offering a great deal of one-to-one instruction
What do treatment programs for ASD focus on?
- developing self-help skills, language, proper social interaction
- reducing maladaptive behaviors
- lots of success with this
