Neurodiversity Flashcards
What does the term neurotypical (NT) mean?
Individuals who are not neurodivergent
What does the term neurodivergent refer to?
Individuals who have neurological differences, opposite of neurotypical
What does neurodiverse mean?
Groups of neurodivergent people
What are some examples of neurodivergent conditions?
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Tourette Syndrome
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Down Syndrome
What is the medical model of disability?
The impairment causes the disability
What is the social model of disability?
Society causes the disability due to barriers it has in place
E.g. stair vs ramp or audio only vs subtitles
What does ASD stand for?
Autism Spectrum Disorder
What is the definition of autism according to the National Autistic Society UK?
A lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world
What are the DSM 5 criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (simplified)?
- Difficulties in social communication and interaction
- Restricted and repetitive behaviours (at least two)
- Symptoms present from an early age
- Symptoms cause significant impairment
- Symptoms not better explained by another disorder
May be associated with significant anxiety or depression especially in adolescents
What are meltdowns?
Outward reactions to sensory overload, often loud and can be violent
What are shutdowns?
Inward directed responses to sensory overload, characterized by quietness and withdrawal
What is stimming?
Self-stimulatory behaviour; repeated actions that vary from person to person (e.g. rocking, pacing etc)
May be a way to distract from sensory overload (stress relief)
May provide sensory input (not enough stimulus)
Just enjoyable
How many people are estimated to have ASD in the UK?
> 1 in 100
How many people are estimated to have ASD in the US according to the CDC (2020)?
1 in 36
What is the male-to-female diagnosis ratio for ASD?
Males are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed than females
What are some risk factors related to the aetiology of ASD?
- Maternal infection during pregnancy
- Maternal drug use during pregnancy (e.g. epilepsy medication)
- Difficult birth
- Older parents
- Genetic & environmental factors (suggested by twin studies)
Also may be related to changes in amygdala function —> area that processes social interactions and fear
What types of treatments are available for ASD?
- Positive behavioural support
- Speech and language therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) = uses rewards & punishments = criticise for trying to ‘train the autism out’ of people
- Medications (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics, stimulants)
What characterizes Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
- Restlessness
- Poor concentration
- Impulsivity
Some overlap of symptoms with ASD
ADHD & ASD are often comorbid = happen together/associated with each other (often diagnosed with both)
What are the DSM 5 criteria for ADHD (simplified)?
- Symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity/impulsivity for 6 months & there is an impact on day to day activities
- Several symptoms present prior to age 12
- Several symptoms present in at least two settings e.g. home & school
- Quality of academic, social or occupational functioning is impaired
- Symptoms not better explained by another disorder
What is the estimated prevalence of ADHD in the UK?
5% of children
3.5% of adults
What is the estimated prevalence of ADHD in the US according to the CDC (2016)?
7.2% of the general population; 10.2% of children
64% have at least 1 comorbid condition (depression, anxiety, autism)
Males 2x more likely to be diagnosed than females
What are some environmental risk factors for ADHD?
Highly heritable (74%) BUT no ADHD gene —> lots of small genetic risk factors that add up (SERT, DAT, D4 D5 receptor, SNAP25 etc)
Environmental factors:
* Low birth weight
* Maternal smoking and alcohol use
* Brain injury
* Lead exposure
What is Tourette Syndrome?
A tic disorder characterized by involuntary actions
What are the two types of tics in Tourette Syndrome?
- Motor tics = twitching, shrugging, blinking, gestures
- Vocal tics = humming , shouting, sniffing, swearing
- Echolalia —> repeating same thing over and over
- Palilalia —> repeating what others say
- Coprolalia —> swearing
