Chapter 14 - Developmental Disorders

Question 1

How did the Ancient Greece respond to the birth of a handicapped child?

Answer 1

They often left them on mountaintops to die or threw them off a cliff.

Question 2

What is an intellectual disability?

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

What are the IQ ranges for the four levels of mental retardation (DSM IV)?

Answer 3

Mild = 50-55 to 70
Moderate = 35-40 to 50-55
Severe = 20-25 to 35-40
Profound = Below 20-25

Question 4

When is the typical onset of Intellectual Disability?

Answer 4

Prior to age 18

Question 5

How does family environment affect the course of a intellectual disability?

Answer 5

Children can improve with support and education. Impoverished environments can cause deterioration

Question 6

What are the biological causes of intellectual disability?

Answer 6

Chromosomal and genetic disorders, infectious diseases and maternal alcohol use during pregnancy

Question 7

What are the psychosocial causes of intellectual disability?

Answer 7

Exposure to an impoverished home environment - lack of intellectually stimulating activities during childhood

Question 8

What is Down Syndrome?

Answer 8

A condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome on the 21st pair and characterized by intellectual disability and various physical anomalies.

Question 9

How frequently are children with down’s syndrome born?

Answer 9

1 in 700

Question 10

What is Fragile X syndrome?

Answer 10

An inherited form of intellectual disability caused by a mutated FMR-1 gene on the X chromosome?

Question 11

How does the occurrence of Fragile X compare to other chromosomal abnormalities that occur intellectual disability?

Answer 11

It is the second most commonly occurring after Down Syndrome

Question 12

How many children are affected by Fragile X?

Answer 12

Girls = 1 in 2000-2500
Boys = 1 in 1000-1500

Question 13

What patterns of cognitive functioning does Fragile X cause in males?

Answer 13

Weaknesses in sequential processing of words in a particular order. Strengths in simultaneous processing of information in a holistic fashion

Question 14

How often does Fragile X cause mental retardation in females?

Answer 14

Approx. 1/3 of females

Question 15

What is Phenylketonuria (PKU)?

Answer 15

A genetic disorder that prevents the metabolization of phenylpyruvic acid, leading to intellectual disability unless the diet is strictly controlled.

Question 16

What causes PKU?

Answer 16

A recessive gene that inactivates a liver enzyme, which prevents the child from metabolizing the amino acid phenylalanine, found in many foods

Question 17

How often does PKU occur?

Answer 17

1 in 10,000-15,000 live births

Question 18

What are the disorders that can happen due to maternal infection or substance abuse?

Answer 18

Rubella
HIV
FAS

Question 19

What are some maternal infections that can cause intellectual disability?

Answer 19

syphilis, drug use, cytomegalovirus, and genital herpes

Question 20

What are some of the cultural-familial causes of intellectual disability?

Answer 20

Most cases are mild with no known biological cause. This is connected to an impoverished family and learning environment

Question 21

What is a Learning Disorder?

Answer 21

A deficiency in a specific learning ability in the context of normal intelligence and exposure to learning opportunities

Question 22

How do learning disorders affect those who have them?

Answer 22

Typically chronic and affect development into adulthood.

Children tend to perform poorly in school.

Question 23

What is a Specific Learning Disorder (DSM-5)

Answer 23

This diagnosis covers any learning disorder involving a significant deficit in skills related to reading, writing, arithmetic, and executive functions

Question 24

What are the types of learning disorder?

Answer 24

Reading (dyslexia)
Writing
Arithmetic/ Math reasoning
Nonverbal

Question 25

What are the restrictions on diagnosis?

Answer 25

Must be clear impairment in school performance.

Must not be because of other developmental disorder or mental retardation

Question 26

What are possible causes of Learning Disabilities?

Answer 26

Subtle central nervous system impairments

Question 27

What is the occurrence and the usual age of onset for Autism?

Answer 27

1-3 in 1000 live births

Becomes evident between 18-30 months of age

Question 28

Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by deficits in…

Answer 28

Social Interaction
Verbal/Non-Verbal Communication
Behavior & Interests

Question 29

What are some of the communication barriers faced by autistic children?

Answer 29

• Approx. 1/2 are mute
• Development of speech by 5 is biggest predictor of a functional outcome
• Speech may be peculiar (echolalia)

Question 30

What are characteristic of Autism behaviour and interests?

Answer 30

• restricted, repetitive and unusual
• Repetitive movement (rocking)
• Don’t spontaneously seek enjoyment
• lack of social/emotional reciprocity

Question 31

How does Autism affect intelligence?

Answer 31

• 25% function normally
• Small number are ‘savants’ = exceptional in one area
• most function below a normal range of intelligence

Question 32

What is Asperger Disorder?

Answer 32

• Similar to Autism. does not have delayed cognitive development
• Difficulties with social skills
• now on Autism Spectrum through DSM-5

Question 33

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Answer 33

• a range of autism-related disorders that vary in severity

Question 34

What are the characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Answer 34

• communication deficits
• overly dependent on routines
• highly sensitive to changes in environment
• intensely focused on inappropriate items

Question 35

How common is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

Answer 35

2% of children in the US are affected by some form of autism

Question 36

What is the most widely used behavioural treatment for ASD?

Answer 36

operant conditioning that is highly intensive and structured, offering a great deal of one-to-one instruction

Question 37

What do treatment programs for ASD focus on?

Answer 37

• developing self-help skills, language, proper social interaction
• reducing maladaptive behaviors
• lots of success with this