Neurodevelopmental Disorders Flashcards
Why is the development of children important for parents and caregivers?
It ensures children can achieve their maximum potential and meet expectations for growth and success.
Why is there a focus on understanding neurodevelopmental processes?
To address the concerns of guardians and provide support for those seeking to understand children’s development.
Why are early years critical in child development?
Early experiences shape how we respond to the world and form relationships.
What is the benefit of early intervention for developmental challenges?
Early support and corrections improve long-term outcomes for children.
How do developmental factors complicate childhood pathology?
Typical developmental factors can make it harder to diagnose or differentiate between normal behavior and pathology.
What is a key debate regarding psychopathology in infants?
Whether a baby can develop psychopathology or if the absence of a developed “self” prevents it.
How are adult conditions connected to childhood development?
Many adult psychological conditions have roots in early developmental experiences.
Why is early intervention important in child and adolescent pathology?
It helps prevent long-term consequences and promotes better outcomes through timely support.
How does the self-other relationship change over time according to Sameroff’s model?
It evolves from being coregulated by others to becoming a fully formed, independent self.
How do others influence our behavior over time?
Our behaviors are initially shaped by others, but this influence changes as we develop.
What does Sameroff’s (2010) Biopsychosocial Continuity Model highlight?
It shows how interactions between self, family, culture, and institutions shape development over time.
Why is individual psychopathology limited during infancy?
Because the self is not fully developed, limiting the capacity to regulate behavior.
What does the model suggest about psychopathology in later development?
As the self evolves, individual psychopathology can become more apparent
Why are young children more dependent on others emotionally?
They are more codependent and coregulated by others during early development.
What are the three key reciprocal determinants of development according to Wilmshurst (2013)?
1) Environment, 2) Behavior, 3) Personal attributes.
What does Winnicott’s Still Face Experiment suggest about infants?
“There is no such thing as a baby,” emphasizing that the mother-child relationship is central to the infant’s development.
How do children influence their environment according to the Reciprocal Determinants model?
Through behavior and by developing cognitive strengths and personal attributes over time.
What is the nature of the processes described in the Reciprocal Determinants model?
They are multidetermined and bidirectional, shaping who we become through interactions between behavior, environment, and personal factors.
What happens when a child receives a negative evaluation at school?
They might act out, which challenges the environment and can reinforce further negative behavior, showing the bidirectional impact between behavior and surroundings.
How does the child-environment interaction evolve with age?
Initially unaware, children gradually realize their potential to modify their environment and relationships as they grow older.
What does Bronfenbrenner’s Behavioral Model emphasize about behavior?
Behavior occurs in a context influenced by multiple layers, including family, peers, community, and culture.
What is the role of the chronosystem in Bronfenbrenner’s model?
It adds a temporal dimension, considering environmental events and life transitions over time.
How do individual characteristics and broader systems interact in development?
While individual traits matter, behavior is shaped by interactions with family, peers, communities, and cultural systems.
What happens as we age, according to Bronfenbrenner?
Our “selves” gradually emerge and intertwine with the capacity for individual psychopathology.
How does Bronfenbrenner’s model help in understanding behavior?
It encourages examining the influence of multiple systems, from the individual to cultural levels, over time to avoid oversimplified attributions.
Why is a biopsychosocial context important for understanding psychopathology?
It helps reveal complex developmental circumstances unique to each child, requiring careful consideration before diagnosing psychopathology.
How do cultural norms influence developmental expectations?
Culture shapes what is considered normal or typical development and can vary across time and contexts.
Why is the concept of normal development socially informed?
Expectations like when children should speak, work, or become parents differ by culture, showing how norms evolve over time.
What is a criticism of the Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) diagnosis?
It pathologizes behaviors, like temper tantrums, which were once seen as typical developmental experiences for young children.
What does the inclusion of DMDD in the DSM-5 reflect about societal changes?
It may indicate a shift in tolerance for children’s behaviors, influencing the definition of neurodevelopmental disorders.
What are key developmental milestones to assess if a child is on track?
Object permanence: 6-12 months
Say “mama” or “dada”: 9-14 months
Walking: 9-17 months
Toilet training: 24-36 months
How does the ability to regulate emotions develop in children?
It is refined over time as children grow, making it normal for younger children to struggle with emotional control.
How do childhood experiences influence adulthood?
Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, shape adult outcomes and can serve as either protective or risk factors.
What is the “staircase” model in neurodevelopmental disorders?
It illustrates how experiences, such as trauma or positive interactions, travel from childhood into adulthood, influencing outcomes.
What role do within-child factors play in adult behavior?
They determine behavioral control, such as resisting instant gratification, and these patterns can persist into adulthood if formed early (e.g., by age 3).
How do trauma and neglect affect development?
Unresolved trauma or neglect can impair neurodevelopment and cause long-lasting damage, influencing adult psychopathology and future generations.
Why is early history-taking important in diagnosing adult psychopathology?
Developmental issues and childhood experiences often have a significant impact on adult mental health, requiring careful consideration.
Why is early intervention crucial in development?
It can alter life trajectories, reducing the risk of negative adult outcomes by developing functional skills early on.
What does the “capital model of human investment” emphasize?
Investing early in development, especially during preschool years, yields the highest returns for cognitive and non-cognitive skill-building.
How can targeted investments improve developmental outcomes?
By focusing on individuals with the highest needs and ensuring programs are accessible, investments can have a greater impact on changing life trajectories.
What is the benefit of learning at an early age according to this model?
“Learning begets learning” – early cognitive and non-cognitive skills facilitate future learning and development.
Why is co-designing programs with targeted groups important?
It ensures the programs meet the specific needs of individuals, maximizing the effectiveness of the intervention.
How does early investment compare to interventions at later stages?
Early investments outperform later ones in maximizing human capital and effectively changing developmental paths.
What factors should we consider when discussing childhood psychopathology and neurodevelopment?
Risk Factors
Protective Factors
Marker Variables (e.g., comorbidity)
Contexts
Prevention and intervention research
What key elements are important when assessing a child?
The child’s experience, the parents’ experience, and how these experiences are interpreted.
Why are early interventions essential for promoting well-being?
Early interventions can shape developmental experiences, positively impact childhood psychopathology, and help prevent adult mental health issues.
How do protective factors influence childhood psychopathology?
Protective factors can buffer against risks, fostering healthy development and reducing the likelihood of future mental health issues.
What role does early prevention play in long-term mental health?
It helps address developmental challenges early, improving outcomes across the lifespan and promoting long-term well-being.
What is the prevalence of mental illness among children under 18 in Australia?
1 in 7 children have experienced a mental illness.
At what stage do mental illnesses often emerge in young people?
Adolescence and by the age of 25, with early signs like the prodromal phase of schizophrenia.
s support for children with mental illness in Australia uniform regardless of diagnosis?
No, support varies depending on the diagnosis, and not all conditions qualify for subsidized care.
Which groups in Australia are at higher risk for mental illness?
Children from refugee backgrounds and Indigenous Australians.
