Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Question 1

Intellectual Disability Key Characteristics?

Answer 1

IQ is <70 & deficits in adaptive functioning

Managment is supportive

Question 2

Specific Learning Disorder Key Characteristics

Answer 2

• Difficulty learning & using academic skills
  Specific problems-math, reading, writing which interfere with functiong skills.
• Manifests when academic demands > capabilities

Question 2

Specific Learning Disorder Key Characteristics

Answer 2

• Difficulty learning & using academic skills
  Specific problems-math, reading, writing which interfere with functiong skills.
• Manifests when academic demands > capabilities

Management is supportive

Question 3

Communciation Disorders Key Characteristics (4)

Answer 3

1. Language Disorder: problems w/ acquisition & use of language
2. Speech Sound Disorder: problems w/ pronunciation
3. Childhood-onset fluency: fluency and timing of speech (stuttering)
4. Social (pragmatic) communication disorder: problems w/ social use of language (nonverbal and verbal)

Supportive managment

Question 4

Tourette’s Disorder Diagnostic Criteria

Answer 4

• Multiple motor and 1 vocal tic
• Symptoms last longer than 1 year
• Onset is prior to age 18

Question 5

Tourette’s Disorder Treatment

Answer 5

1. Psychotherapy: stress reduction, coping strategies (masking tics)
2. Pharmacological: if required antipsychotics to block dopamine receptors

Question 6

Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Criteria

(2)

Answer 6

1. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts
   * Deficits in social-emotional reciprocity
   * Deficits in nonverbal communicative behavior
   * Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships
2. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, activities
   * Sterotyped or reptitive motor movements
   * Inflexible adherance to routines
   * Restricted, fixated interests
   * Hyper/hypo reactivity to sensory input

Diagnosis usually made by age 2

Question 7

Autism Spectrum Disorder Specifiers

Answer 7

1. With/out intellectual impairement
2. With/out language impairement

Question 8

ASD w/ cognitive impairement

Which hemisphere of brain?

Answer 8

LEFT: verbal language functions more affected

Question 9

ADHD Diagnostic Criteria

Answer 9

1. 6 or more symptoms of inattention AND/OR
2. 6 or more specific symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity
3. Lasted at least 6 months

Question 10

ADHD types

(3)

Answer 10

1. Combined presentation
2. Predominantly Inattentive
3. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive

Question 11

ADHD Etiology

Answer 11

• Biological: decreased dopamine and norepinephrine-decreased prefrontal lobe
• Environmental: toxins (alcohol), trauma, perinatal complications

Question 12

Neuropsycholgical Evaluations for ADHD

Answer 12

1. Tests of frontal lobe functioning: Wisconsin Sorting test
2. Tests of sustained attention: CPT (continuous performance test)
3. Behavioral Rating Scales: Achenbach Child behavior, ADHD Rating scale, Conner’s ADHD Rating Scale

Question 13

ADHD Non-Pharmacological Interventions

Answer 13

1. Psychosocial: Teach “Stop, think, act”
2. Parental support: token economies

Question 14

ADHD Pharmacological Interventions

Answer 14

1. Stimulants: amphetamine, methylphenidate-increases dopamine and norepinephrine in prefrontal cortex
   * Blackbox warning: potential for abuse
2. Non-stimulant: Atomoxetine-inhibits norepinephrine reuptake in prefrontal cortex
   * Used if stimulant failure, coexisting anxiety, tics, abuse liability