U.1: Neurodiversity and Brain Development Flashcards
what is Neurodiversity?
Refers to variations in neurological development and functioning within and between groups of people, that thus deviates from what is considered typical or normal in the general population.
describe a neurotypical individual.
- Has traditionally good communication skills.
- Can focus for prolonged periods.
- Able to function in distracting environments without sensory overload.
- Able to adapt to change in routines
describe a neurodiverse individual.
- Better equipped to express themselves through creativity.
- May not be able to focus for extended periods but is very detail focused.
- Tends to observe what happens around them and, as a result, may get distracted.
- May experience difficulty in adapting to change, especially if it is sudden.
what is autism spectrum disorder (ASD) ?
A neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impaired social interactions, verbal, and non-verbal communication difficulties, narrow interests, and repetitive behaviours.
explain autism for females.
Females can ‘camouflage’ their symptoms by masking, which are strategies, such as watching others and mimicking their behaviour, to hide social difficulties and blend in, to try disguise their ASD symptoms and act like a neurotypical behaviour.
how does the misdiagnosis of autism for females affect them?
Receive a delayed diagnosis due to the stereotype that they are more socially competent than males. Their awkwardness, uncomfortability, and difficulty in social situations are often overlooked, neglecting the possibility of having ASD. Creating a bias towards males in the diagnostic process and makes it challenging for females to receive a diagnosis.
example of effective management strategies for autism spectrum disorder.
It is also possible to intervene and manage the condition, however it is more effective if done at an earlier stage.
- educational and developmental therapy
- behavioural therapy (to help learn life skills and overcome other challenges)
- speech, language, and occupational therapy (to help with social, communication, and language skills)
- medication (to tackle accompanying mental health issues, such as anxiety medication to calm worries and/or fears)
- psychotherapy (to help a person increase or build upon their strengths)
what is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
A neurological condition characterised by persistent attention or hyperactivity that disrupts social, academic, or occupational functioning.
what is hyperactivity and hypoactivity?
Hyperactivity (increased activity)
Hypoactivity (decreased activity)
some intervention and management strategies for ADHD?
- Medication (to help focus)
- Counselling and psychotherapy (to help address difficulties in everyday life and assist with time management, organisation, and planning)
- Behavioural Strategies (to regain control in life)
- Decluttering: having a clean space can help an individual have a clear mind.
- Designation Zones: to separate activities and parts of an individual’s life so that they don’t overlap and overwhelm them.
- Use A Planner: to know exactly what an individual has to do and when they have to do it - work in small increments - to prevent overworking and getting distracted.
How does the brains of individuals with autism are different neurotypical individuals?
- A greater brain volume in childhood; however, brain volumes become equivalent after adolescence.
- A thinner temporal cortex, which is associated with processing sounds and speech.
- A thicker frontal cortex, which is associated with complex social and cognitive processes.
- Smaller internal structures, such as the amygdala, which are involved in processing emotions.
Ways in which brain structure and functioning can differ from a person with ADHD of a neurotypical person.
- Hyperactivity (increased activity) and hypoactivity (decreased activity) in some brain regions which interfere with the brain’s computing capacity to appropriately meet the cognitive demands of a task.
- Smaller volume of the amygdala and hippocampus, which impact emotional regulation and motivation.
- Delayed maturation of the cerebral cortex, which impacts cognitive and attention control.
- Faster maturation of the motor cortex which may induce symptoms, such as restlessness and fidgeting.
what is dyslexia?
A neurologically based learning difficulty manifested as severe difficulties in reading, spelling, writing words, and sometimes arithmetic.
what are ways in which brain structure may differ?
- Decreased grey matter volume, which is related to reading skills, phonological (speech) processing, and spelling recognition.
- Weaker white matter organisation, which impacts reading speed.
- Hypoactivation of certain regions of the brain, which are responsible for recognising symbols and letters and associating them with sounds.
- Reduced neuroplasticity of left-hemispheric regions that are involved in language and reading
what are some intervention and management strategies for dyslexia?
- learning via audio or video recordings
- using assistive technology to read text aloud
- using technology, such as word processors and electronic organisers, which can help with writing
- occupational therapy (to help learn ways to work around and manage issues caused by dyslexia in the workplace).
