Vocab Flashcards
Autism
Neurodevelopmental condition, usually present at birth, with deficits in socialization and language.
Aetiology
The underlying cause or origin of something. eg: disorder
Apraxia
A neurological disorder where the person is unable to perform tasks or movements when asked, although the request or command is understood by the individual.
Asperger Syndrome
A neurodevelopmental disorder that many also consider to be high functioning autism. There are typically deficits in social interaction but language is typically intact. Individuals also often display restrictive, repetitive patterns of interest and activities.
Attachment Theory
This theory explains how infants form relationships with their primary caregivers. This theory emphasizes the importance of the relationship between the caregiver(s) and the child during development.
Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R)
A standardized interview used to assist clinicians when making a differential diagnosis. It reviews the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders. The clinician typically interviews the parents or primary caregivers.
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS)
An instrument that uses a semi-structured format to assess individuals suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder. It assesses language, social skills, and other symptoms commonly associated with autism spectrum disorders.
Bipolar Disorder
A disorder of mood. Mood typically ranges from manic to severe depression.
Chromosomes
These threadlike structures are composed of nucleic acids and proteins, which are found in the nucleus of living cells. They include genetic information (DNA) in the form of genes.
Differential Diagnosis
When a clinician collects diagnostic information with the goal of differentiating between developmental, cognitive, and/or psychiatric conditions (that often share symptoms.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
(current edition DSM-5) The American Psychiatric Association publishes this manual to assist clinicians when making a diagnosis. The goal of the manual to ensure there is a common set of criteria when making a diagnosis.
Dyspraxia
(Developmental co-ordination disorder, or DCD),A neurological disorder where the individual understands what is being asked but is unable to respond or perform the task requested.
Dysgraphia
A neurological disorder where an individual is unable to write
Encopresis
When an individual, typically a child, continues to soil their clothes although he/she has been toilet trained.
Endophenotypes
Characteristics of a disorder or illness that are not observable (Cognitive phenotypes).
Epilepsy
The fourth most common neurological disorder, affects people of all ages, and causes unpredictable seizures
Facial Dysmorphia
A mental health condition where the sufferer has a warped perception of the appearance of their face, often uncontrollably focusing on flaws.
Fragile X Syndrome
A genetic condition that causes intellectual disability, behavioral and learning challenges and various physical characteristics (including a long and narrow face, large ears, flexible fingers, and large testicles).
Genes
Characteristics that are transferred from the parents to their children.
Down Syndrome
(Also known as trisomy 21) is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is typically associated with physical growth delays, characteristic facial features, and mild to moderate intellectual disability.
Hydrocephalus
A condition in which there is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain. This typically causes increased pressure inside the skull, as well as a larger than average head.
Hyperactivity
A physical state in which a person is abnormally and easily excitable or exuberant.
Leading sign of ADHD, and behaviors such as overactive, inattentive, and impulsive.
Hypersensitivity
Highly sensitive to the environment. For example, individuals will often have extreme emotional response to sounds, lights, and touch.
Hyposensitivity
A lack or highly limited response to the environment. For example, an individual might not respond to sirens when others are covering their ears due to how loud sirens are.
Incidence
A measure of the probability of occurrence of a given medical condition in a population within a specified period of time.
Intellectual Disability
A disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem solving) and in adaptive behavior, which covers a range of everyday social and practical skills. This disability originates before the age of 18.
Kanner Syndrome
Historical name for Autism, This syndrome typically occurs within the first 30 months and infant often displays psychotic symptoms.
Joint Attention
The shared focus of two individuals on an object. It is achieved when one individual alerts another to an object by means of eye-gazing, pointing or other verbal or non-verbal indications.
Karyotyping
The process of identifying the number and appearance of chromosomes.
Metabolic Disorders
A set of disorders that are characterized by deficits in glutamate, cholinergic, and GABAergic transmission.. (eg: diabetes)
MMR Vaccine
Vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella.
Neurofibromatosis
A genetic disorder of the nervous system. Tumors form on the nerve cell sheaths within the body and brain.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
(or ODD) is a childhood disorder that is defined by a pattern of hostile, disobedient, and defiant behaviors directed at adults or other authority figures. ODD is also characterized by children displaying angry and irritable moods, as well as argumentative and vindictive behaviors.
PANDAS
This is a difficult disorder to diagnosis. Many clinicians often diagnosis an anxiety disorder because of the severity of the anxiety; however, there is a history of beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection, with raised anti-Stretolysin O titres, typicallu within the last 6 months to a year.
PDD-NOS
A former diagnosis category with the DSM-IV-TR where there are mild symptoms of autism but the symptoms are not severe enough to meet the full diagnostic criteria of autism.
fMRI
Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain that also monitors blood flow.
PET Scan
Tomograph that results in cross-sectional X-rays of metabolic processes in the body.
Phenotypes
In interaction of an individuals genotype and the environment…resulting in observable characteristics.
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
A form of augmentative and alternative communication, which is based upon ABA principles. The system also uses pictures to develop nonverbal and verbal communication.
Prevalence
The overall presence of a disorder, condition, or disease.