Module 12: Neuro-developmental disorders and special needs children

Question 1

Role of Insula cortex?

Answer 1

Links sensory experience & emotional valence (meaning). Binds together sensory info from external world & internal sensation.
- Forms our perception

Question 2

Oxytocin

Answer 2

Increased oxytocin: Decreased cortisol
- low intensity, non noxious tactile stimulation = increases oxytocin

Question 3

What can be detected by the Heel Prick Blood test

Answer 3

• Phenylketonuria (PKU)= body can’t break down phenylalanine (food proteins)
• Hypothyroidism
• Cystic fibrosis
• other rare metabolic conditions

** Done 1-2 days post birth

Question 4

Contributing factors to ASD

Answer 4

• Parents w health problems (esp metabolic syndrome, toxic exposures& stress)
• Pregnancy Issues (Nutrition, toxins, stress, infections, medications)
• Infancy issues (AB’s, poor microbiome, poor nutrition, infections, Immune stress)
• Epigenetics/ environmental toxins

Question 5

DSM-5 Defines ASD as the occurrence of;

Answer 5

• Persistent impairments in social interaction &
• The presence of restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviours, interests or activities

Question 6

What are signs of ASD?

Answer 6

• some ASD associated behaviours include;
• Delayed language development
• Repetitive language or movements (only communicate to get needs met)
• Trouble making eye contact
• inability to hold a conversation
• Narrow but intense interests
• Poor reasoning & planning skills
• decreased motor skills
• Sensory sensitivities
• M > F, 4:1
• ASD can be reliably diagnosed as early as 2 yrs
• potential deficit in mirror neuron system = have difficulty understanding other people’s actions & emotions & feeling empathy

Question 7

What are some Emerging symptoms of ASD at 12 months?

Answer 7

• Limited response to own name
• Limited eye contact & communicative gestures (pointing)
• Delays in language (limited range & frequency of vocalizations)
• Atypical behaviours; spinning & intense Visual examination of objects

Question 8

Working with/ Adjusting Kids with ASD

Answer 8

• work towards increasing somatosensory input into R cortex (emotion, engages, connects)
• Follow their lead
• Firmer/ broader contact = respond well to heavy pressure
• find out favourite interests
• Co- manage w early intervention
• Good nutrition & decrease toxic load

Question 9

ASD like symptoms can appear when -

Answer 9

There is over development of Left brain = contribute to autistic like behaviours.
- Many toddlers can be ASD like when they are stressed

Question 10

ASD treatment models;

Answer 10

• ABA; Applied Behavioural Analysis (helpful for very severe)
• ESDM; Early start Denver Model
• DIR (developmental, Individual difference, relationship Model)- Floortime = BEST!
• Play therapy

Question 11

R brain development

Answer 11

• Attachment & Attunement = critical for assisting R brain development
• Secure attachment promotes effective R brain development
• Process emotion
• Modulates stress - R brain dominant for stres response
• Assist Self regulation
• Bodily Based Implicit self

Question 12

Mirror Neuron System Involves which parts of the brain?

Answer 12

• Frontal
• Parietal
• temporal
• Cingulate & Insula

Role of MNS = provide a simple, direct & quick way to understand other peoples actions & emotions

Important in;
- Motor Learning
- Empathy

Question 13

Left Brain Characteristics:

Answer 13

• focus on details
• Small Muscle control
• Verbal Language
• Literal
• IQ
• Approach behaviour
• Positive emotions
• Math calculation
• Word Reading
• Explicit Memory
• Practical
• Curious
• Activates the immune system
• Top down control

Question 14

Right Brain Characteristics

Answer 14

• Focus on the big picture
• Large Muscle control
• Body Language
• Figurative
• EQ
• Avoidance behaviour
• Negative emotions
• Math reasoning
• Reading comprehension
• Implicit memory
• Unpredictable
• Cautious
• Suppresses Immune system
• Bottom up control