100 Terms

Question 1

Autism

Answer 1

Neurodevelopmental condition that is usually present at birth with results in deficits in socialization and language.

Question 2

Aetiology

Answer 2

The underlying cause or causes of a disease or condition

Question 3

Apraxia

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Asperger Syndrome

Answer 4

A neurological disorder that many also consider to 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.

Question 5

Attachment Theory

Answer 5

This theory explains how infants form relationships with their primary caregivers. This theory emphasizes the importance of the relationship between the caregiver and the child during development.

Question 6

Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R)

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale (ADOS)

Answer 7

An instrument that uses semi-structured format to assess individuals suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder. It assesses language, social skills, and other symptoms commonly associated with ASD.

Question 8

Bipolar Disorder

Answer 8

A disorder of mood. Mood typically ranges from manic to severe depression.

Question 9

Chromosomes

Answer 9

These threadlike structures are composed of nuclei acids and proteins, which are found in the nucleus of living cells. They include genetic information in the form of genes.

Question 10

Differential Diagnosis

Answer 10

When a clinician collects diagnostic information with the goal of differentiating between developmental, cognitive, and/or psychiatric conditions.

Question 11

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

Answer 11

The American Psychiatric Association publishes this manual to assist clinicians when making a diagnosis. The goal of the manual is to ensure there is a common set of criteria when making a diagnosis.

Question 12

Dyspraxia

Answer 12

A Neurological disorder where the individual understands what is being asked but is unable to respond or perform the task requested.

Question 13

Dysgraphia

Answer 13

A neurological disorder where an individual understands what is being asked but is unable to respond or perform the task requested.

Question 14

Encopresis

Answer 14

When an individual, typically a child, continues to soil there clothes although he/she has been toilet-trained.

Question 15

Endophenotypes

Answer 15

Cognitive Phenotypes

Question 16

Epilepsy

Answer 16

Seizure Disorders

Question 17

Facial Dysmorphia

Answer 17

The specific disorder includes abnormalities of the face.

Question 18

Fragile X Syndrome

Answer 18

Individuals with this disorder often have cognitive impairments. There is damage to the X chromosome. This disorder is inherited.

Question 19

Genes

Answer 19

Characteristics that are transferred from the parents to their children.

Question 20

Down Syndrome

Answer 20

Chromosome 21 is involved. Individuals with this genetic disorder typically have cognitive disabilities and specific physical features.

Question 21

Hydrocephalus

Answer 21

This condition involves increased pressure within the brain due to difficultues of draining of cerebral spinal fluid. As a result, the ventricle becomes enlarged and the head typical become bigger.

Question 22

Hyperactivity

Answer 22

Excessive movement… like a motor that never stops running. The individual often has difficulties sitting still and/or concentrating.

Question 23

Hypersensitivity

Answer 23

Highly sensitive to the environment. For example, individuals will often have extreme emotional response to sounds.

Question 24

Hyposensitivity

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Incidence

Answer 25

How often a disease occurs within a population.

Question 26

Intellectual Disability

Answer 26

This term is fairly broad but includes cognitive disabilities.

Question 27

Kanner Syndrome

Answer 27

This syndrome typically occurs within the first 30 months and infants often displays psychotic symptoms.

Question 28

Joint Attention

Answer 28

When two individuals are looking or pointing at the same object. Clinicians will often point to an object…if no response… ask a child to look at an object….if no response, they will then often point and ask the child to look at the object to see if the child looks.

Question 29

Karotyping

Answer 29

The process of identifying the number and appearance of chromosomes.

Question 30

Metabolic Disorders

Answer 30

A set of disorders that are characterized by deficits in glutamate, cholinergic, and GABAergic transmission.

Question 31

MMR Vaccine

Answer 31

The vaccination used to prevent individuals from getting measles, mumps and rubella.

Question 32

Neurofibromatosis

Answer 32

Tumors form on the nerve cell sheaths within the body and brain.

Question 33

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Answer 33

A disorder that is often diagnosed during childhood, that includes symptoms of anger, noncompliance, disrespect, and sometimes aggression.

Question 34

PANDAS

Answer 34

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-hemolytic streptococcal infection, with raised anti-Streptomycin Otitres, typically within the last 6 months to a year.

Question 35

PDD-NOS

Answer 35

This is a former diagnosis category with the DSM-IV-TR where there are mild symptoms of autism but the symptoms are not to meet the full diagnostic criteria of autism.

Question 36

FMRI

Answer 36

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the brain that also monitors blood flow.

Question 37

PET Scanning

Answer 37

Tomography that results in cross-sectional X-rays of metabolic processes in the body.

Question 38

Phenotypes

Answer 38

In interaction of an individual’s genotype and the environment …. resulting in observable characteristics.