Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Question 1

Define neurodevelopment disorder

Answer 1

• impairments in the brain or central nervous system

Question 2

What are some examples of neurodevelopment disorders?

Answer 2

• fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
• Down syndrome
• Tourette syndrome
• cerebral palsy

Question 3

What do neurodevelopmental disorders have in common?

Answer 3

1. root of disorder is a neurological dysfunction that affects intellectual, emotional, social, and (sometimes) physical development
2. often struggle to fit into society

Question 4

What are 3 symptoms ADHD is characterized by?

Answer 4

inattentive, hyperactive, impulsive behaviour

Question 5

in most countries, boys are 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD (True or False)

Answer 5

True

Question 6

What environment do children with ADHD do better in?

Answer 6

• schools that engage in active, flexible, and hands-on learning

Question 7

Where was ADHD first identified?

Answer 7

• in schools as a result of misbehaviour, poor academic achievement (or a combination of these)

Question 8

In the DSM-5, a child must present with _ out of 18 symptoms that are consistent over a period of _ months

Answer 8

6, 6

Question 9

What 4 symptoms does the DSM-5 list for ADHD

Answer 9

1. difficulty waiting their turn
2. often talks excessively
3. often fails to give close attention to detail or makes mistakes
4. often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish school work

Question 10

What is the global prevalence for ADHD?

Answer 10

over 5% of children had ADHD

Question 11

studies suggest ~_ children received an inappropriate diagnosis and over _ received stimulant medication

Answer 11

1.1 million, 800 000

Question 12

What are some characteristics of Autism?

Answer 12

• person has difficulty understanding the need to be social
• struggle to manage social life and social expectations
• no biomarkers

Question 13

What was ADHD previously called?

Answer 13

Hyperkinetic Impulse Disorder

Question 14

What 4 events led to the emergence of ADHD?

Answer 14

1. Sputnik
   - convinced scientists and educators that if the education system didn’t change, the US would lose the Cold War
   - proved that the education system was not up to the standards of producing scientists and engineers who would win the space race
2. National Defence Education Act (NDEA)
   - classrooms and learning transitioned to “by the book”
   - students more adept at hands on learning struggled and were singled out as problematic
   - GI Bill reinforced that secondary school was necessary for success
3. WWII
   - psychiatry became more significant due to interest in keeping soldiers mentally healthy
   - gained more prestige and led to NIMH
4. Rise of Biological and Social Psychology
   - development of new drugs led to more focus on the brain as the key for mental health
   - ritalin = wonder drug

Question 15

How did Autism emerge?

Answer 15

• articles written by Leo Banner and Hans Asperger as first description of autism
• Lorna Wing: popularized term “Asperger” that was distinct from autism
• Bonnie Evans argues Eugen Bleuler coined the term “Autism” and Jean Piaget developed the autism model

Question 16

What are some explanations for the cause of ADHD?

Answer 16

• genetic neurological deficit - many attempts to ID gene responsible
• food allergy
• psychoanalytic theories (“Mother Blame”)
• lead, sleep deprivation
• ADHD is a social construct = does not exist
• pharmaceutical companies selling the idea that ADHD was not normal and needed to be controlled

Question 17

What are some explanations for the cause of Autism?

Answer 17

• rooted in the brain
• Bettelheim: “coldness” of parents (discredited theory”
• dietary explanations
• MMR vaccination theory (measles, mumps, and rubella)

Question 18

What is the main treatment method for ADHD?

Answer 18

Ritalin (stimulant drug)

Question 19

Why was Ritalin problematic for treating ADHD?

Answer 19

• did not work for 20%of patients
• questions regarding safety and whether is was ethical to give children stimulants (drug dependency)
• concerns about side effects

Question 20

What are some other treatments for ADHD?

Answer 20

• elimination diets (Feingold diet)
• educational interventions
• mind-body therapy (CBT, neurofeedback, physical activity)

Question 21

Why is there no “magic bullet” for Autism?

Answer 21

• hard to develop and find medication that will reduce core symptoms of autism

Question 22

What drugs are used to reduce some symptoms and behaviours of autism?

Answer 22

• hyperactivity and inattentiveness (stimulants)
• anxiety and depression (SSRI antidepressants)
• irritability and aggression (antipsychotics)
• sleep difficulty (melatonin)

Question 23

What does the Neurodiversity movement advocate for?

Answer 23

• argues that autism and other mental illnesses are not “pathologies” but instead apart of the normal spectrum of human experiences and behaviour
• argues that instead of trying to cure autism, help those with neurodevelopment disorders to adapt to the world and make society more accommodating

Question 24

What are some challenges and contradictions to the Neurodiversity Movement?

Answer 24

• group posits that autism is a neurological issue (not proven by research)
• reductionist view: presents autism as homogenous and overlooks diversity
• majority of members are “high-functioning” and successful (ignores those less able to participate)