Lecture 11- Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Question 1

AAIDD

Answer 1

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Question 2

Intellectual Disability Diagnostic Criteria

Answer 2

Significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning (IQ < 70)
Deficits in adaptive behavior (life skills)
Presents in the developmental period (before 18)

Question 3

Causes of Intellectual Disability

Answer 3

Genetics (5% of cases)- Tay-Sach’s, Down’s, Fragile X
Embryonic and Fetal Development (40%)- Maternal alcohol/drug use, infection, malnutrition, prematurity, hypoxia, blood chemical concentrations, and trauma
Infant/Childhood medical conditions (5%)- Infection, trauma, lead poisoning
Environment and mental disorders (20%)- Deprivation of nurturance and stimulation, autism, etc.
Unknown factors (30%)

Question 4

Intellectual Disability Subgroups

Answer 4

Mild (IQ 55-70)- 85% of cases; educable
Moderate (40-55)- 10% of cases; trainable
Severe (25-40)- 3-4%
Profound- (IQ < 25)- 1-2%

Question 5

Mild/Moderate Subgroup

Answer 5

Diagnosed later in life
Fewer medical problems and impairments
Tend to run in families, especially those of lower socioeconomic status

Question 6

Severe/Profound Subgroup

Answer 6

Diagnosed in preschool or infancy
Lifelong
Typically needs care outside the home, lots of comorbidities
Range of family histories and social classes

Question 7

Intelligence Tests

Answer 7

Most common- WAIS
Strengths- Placement and eligibility in special education and services; determine strengths
Weaknesses- Diagnosing severe/profound, early assessment is unstable; cannot predict non-school behaviors

Question 8

Adaptive Behavior Assessments

Answer 8

Test life skills
Common tests- AAMD Adaptive behavior scale
Vineland Adaptive Behavior scale
Test what a child does on a regular basis

Question 9

Mainstreaming Education Policy

Answer 9

Academics are done alone, without peers
Child’s home base is another classroom, joins class during special activities
Larger risk of labeling and downward spiral

Question 10

Inclusive education policy

Answer 10

Child spends entire day in regular classroom with modified curriculum
Larger risk of social problems and low self-esteem due to special treatment

Question 11

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Answer 11

Intellectual Disability
Autism
ADHD
Specific Learning Disorder

Question 12

Specific Learning Disorder Description

Answer 12

Discrepancy between aptitude and academic achievement in 1-2 areas
Normal IQ with low test scores with at least 2 standard deviations apart
Caused by neuropsychological impairment

Question 13

Assumptions with Specific Learning Disorder

Answer 13

Specificity- only 1-2 cognitive areas
IQ-achievement discrepancy-
Exclusionary criteria- No better explanation, provided adequate instruction

Question 14

Impairment in Reading

Answer 14

Difficulties in word reading accuracy, reading rate, fluency, or comprehension
Dyslexia- Specific form of reading impairment
Alexia- Acquired inability to read

Question 15

Impairment in Written Expression

Answer 15

Difficulty in spelling, grammar, punctuation, clarity, or organization of written expression
Agraphia- Acquired difficulties in writing or spelling

Question 16

Impairment in Mathematics

Answer 16

Difficulty in number sense, memorization of arithmetic facts, accurate or fluent calculations, or accurate math reasoning
Acalculia- Acquired disturbance of mathematics operations

Question 17

Specific Learning Disorder Prevalence

Answer 17

1994- 2-10% of the population
Current- 5-15 ~10% of the population
Males > Females 2-3:1

Question 18

Neurological Basis of Dyslexia

Answer 18

Normal brains have slightly larger left hemispheres (neuronal asymmetry)
Absence of asymmetry is associated with dyslexia

Question 19

Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities (NLD)

Answer 19

Triad of symptoms that suggest developmental dysfunction of the right hemisphere
-Arithemetic deficits
-Visuospatial-Visuoconstructional deficits
-Significant deficits in social perception, judgment, and interaction
1% of learning disorders (0.1-1% of the general population); slightly more males

Question 20

NLD Testing Implications

Answer 20

Low WAIS arithmetic, block design, object assembly, and coding
High verbal IQ (understanding) with low verbal performance

Question 21

NLD early signs

Answer 21

History of poor coordination and fine motor skills
Less interest in drawing and puzzles
Poor hand-eye coordination and facility in building