Atypical development Flashcards
(45 cards)
what is atypical development?
Someone whose development/cognitive processes differ more than typical individual variation, Different developmental patterns and/or, Developmental delays
The medical model approach atypical development
- Tends to measure individuals against what is typical/the norm
- Tends to work with a deficit view, identifying problems with individuals.
- It then uses this to build knowledge as well as develop and provide treatment and support
From knowing that cognitive abilities are associated with a genetic disorder what else can we know?
- We can infer how genes are involved in those cognitive abilities
- And also infer how these genes affect development.
What is neuroconstructivism ?
Study of how genes and the environment interact over time and how it shapes the development of cognitive abilities.
What are key ideas emphasized by Neuroconstructivism?
Gene expression changes over time, just like cognitive abilities.
It’s difficult to tell if a cognitive trait is caused by a missing gene or by environmental influences that alter gene expression.
Single dissociation studies
One disorder is associated with a particular trait, E.g. language difficulties. If disorder is genetically well described this can tell us a lot. But are the genes associated with that disorder, atypical development in general or specifically language difficulties?
Double dissociation studies
TWo disorders - one is caused by one thing and the second by another thing
better for establishing if genes are associated with a disorder.
What is atypical intellectual syndrome?
Can often co-occur with conditions such as depression, ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Condition.
Consider those who perform significantly below average in - intellectual functioning or adaptive functioning.
when is the onset of atypical intellectual syndrome?
Onset of the condition is prior to the end of the developmental period - To mark it out as a developmental condition rather than occurring due to an event that happens later in life.
What are three domains of adaptive functioning?
- Conceptual ~ language skills, reading, writing
- Social ~ empathy, social judgement or interpersonal communication skills
- Practical ~ personal care or job responsibilities
What are the physical traits of William Sybdrone?
- Cardiac, musculoskeletal, renal and dental differences
- Hypercalcemia: extra calcium in their blood (associated with weaker blood and heart problems
- Distinctive facial features
- Small stature
- Problems with binocular vision
- Hyperacusis (heightened sensitivity to sound)
personality of williams syndrome
- very friendly and gregarious.
- Unafraid of strangers.
- Empathetic, extremely trusting and accommodating.
- More active than typical, difficulty with concentration (often co-occurs with ADHD).
- Anxiety and phobias.
what are the cognitive strengths of someone with Williams syndrome?
Strengths: Language, Face recognition, Social Interaction skills
what are the cognitive weaknesses of someone with Williams syndrome?
Difficulties: Spatial & numerical skills , IQ falls into the lower range (40-90)
what is the genetic malfunction in people with Williams syndrome?
Not a certain gene - more pattern of gene deletion, in genes that are associated with physical traits.
Different groups within WS (7) each are associated with a different pattern of gene deletion.
This shows that even within those with WS, different patterns of gene deletion can be associated with different traits.
How do children with WS and DS perform differently when they have to describe a frog story?
WS - very expressive language at both 13 and 17
DS - not a lot of language - limited vocabulary
How is grammar and vocab different in WS and SW?
Grammar —> WS show good comprehension. Better grammar. Compared to DS.
Vocab —> Had to list animals and WS named more animals and uncommon ones compared to DS children.
Linguistic effect —> evidence those with WS use language that is affectively rich. WS outperform others.
How do WS compare to typically developing children?
WS compared to typical developing children. The proportion of incomplete sentences they use. (WS more than TYpical less than DS)
what disorder provides a double dissociation with WS?
Down Syndrome
How does cognitive genetics relate to language processing?
Genes coding for language skills are present in individuals with Williams Syndrome (WS).
Double dissociations with disorders like Down syndrome, DLD, and dyslexia suggest different genetic impacts on language.
Helps identify genes linked to language abilities.
How does neuroconstructivism explain language processing?
Missing genes may be linked to language impairment, but the reason why is unclear.
Gene-environment interactions in language development are still not well understood.
The same gene may affect language differently at various developmental stages.
What does research say about social cognition in individuals with Williams Syndrome?
People with WS often use richer, more socially engaging language.
Adolescents with WS:
Use more socially evaluative language
Reference affective states more
Evaluate others’ behavior
Use emphatic markers (e.g., “really”, “for sure”, “certainly”)
How do social interactions for WS and DS compare?
WS –> more likely to initiate dyadic interactions, with parents and even more with novel adults.
DS –> less likely to talk to someone they do not know
How do adults with WS perform at face configuration tasks?
- They could only say if faces were the same and be correct 51% compared to typical adults who got 75%
