Lecture 9 & 10 - Learning Disabilities

Question 1

Define: ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Answer 1

a complex neuropsychological disorder which is characterized by features that may include inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity

Question 2

What are the 3 ADHD Subtypes ?

Answer 2

1. Predominantly Inattentive type (ADHD-PI)
2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type (ADHD-HI)
3. Combined Type (ADHD-C)

Question 3

Explain: ADHD Predominantly Inattentive type (ADHD-PI)

Answer 3

• frequently described as drowsy, confused, “in a fog”
• may be co-morbid with learning disorders, slow processing
  speed, difficulties with information
  retrieval, anxiety, and mood disorders

Question 4

Explain: Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type (ADHD-HI) and Combined Type (ADHD-C)

Answer 4

• both are associated with aggressiveness, defiance, peer rejection, school suspension

Question 5

Explain: The DSM-IV Criteria for ADHD

Answer 5

-excessive, long-term, and persistent behaviours (at least 6 months)
-behaviours appear prior to age 7
-age-inappropriate
-behaviours occur in several settings
-behaviour causes significant impairments in at
least two environments
-behaviours not due to another psychological
disorder, medical condition, or serious life stressor

Question 6

What are the 5 major areas of difficulty for kids with ADHD?

Answer 6

• impaired focus
• memory dysfunction
• distractibility
• poorly regulated intention
• feedback insensitivity

Question 7

T/F: Children with ADHD have a short attention span.

Answer 7

False. The child is listening to everything rather than nothing. It is not the amount of information that is impaired but rather its quality.

Question 8

Define/explain: associative distraction

Answer 8

Children with ADHD have troubled stopping the flow of ideas.They are creative but can’t adapt to a school environment where the teacher focuses on one topic for a whole lecture.

Question 9

Define/explain: appetitive distraction

Answer 9

Children with ADHD have tremendous restlessness and find delay of gratification very difficult. They have very little tolerance for boredom. And find the future competing with the present in their minds.

Question 10

Define/explain: performance inconsistency

Answer 10

they don’t have attention deficits all the time, but rather it is heightened at different times of the day, results in teachers and parents thinking child is choosing to be lazy

Question 11

What are 4 characteristics associated with ADHD?

Answer 11

1. Cognitive deficits
   - deficits in working memory, sustained attention, and executive functions
2. Speech and language impairments
   - 30-60% of children with ADHD have difficulty in using language in daily situations
3. Medical and physical concerns
   - sleep, growth, tics
4. Social problems
   - problems with family and peers

Question 12

Define: executive functions

Answer 12

higher-order mental processes that underlie the child’s capacity for self-regulation (including self-awareness, planning, self-monitoring, self evaluation)

Question 13

What are some Accompanying Psychological

Disorders and Symptoms of ADHD?

Answer 13

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
• Conduct Disorder (CD)
• Anxiety Disorders
• Mood Disorders

Question 14

What is the average age of onset of ADHD?

Answer 14

• Present at birth but difficult to identify in infancy

- Onset in preschool years or usually by school age