Exam 2: Physical Growth +Brain Development in Middle Childhood

Question 1

Physical Growth

Answer 1

Slow and steady
5-7 lbs/yr
2 in per yr
Adult like proportions developing
-bones lengthen, muscle strength
-nutrition and regular exercise important

Question 2

Brain adult size

Answer 2

age 7

Question 3

Improvements in

Answer 3

-logic, memory, and planning
-attention span
-reaction time and information processing speed (connections between brain areas increase)
-hemisphere coordination (myelination)

Question 4

ADHD Diagnosis

Answer 4

Inattention and/or hyperactivity that interferes with functioning or development
-Can be combined presentation, predominantly inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive presentation
-Symptoms prior to 12 years of age
-Symptoms present in 2+ settings

Question 5

ADHD Inattention

Answer 5

6 + symptoms for at least 6 months
-trouble holding attention
-distracted easily
-forgetful
-trouble organizing
-gets side-tracked

Question 6

ADHD Hyperactivity and Impulsivity

Answer 6

6+ symptoms for at least six months
-fidgets, squirms
-“on the go”
-blurts
-interrupts

Question 7

ADHD; executive functioning challenges

Answer 7

response inhibition, vigilance, working memory, planning,
-these challenges are not diagnostic
-not all children with ADHD demonstrate executive functioning challenges

Question 8

ADHD Neurobiology: EEG/ERP

Answer 8

-patterns suggestive of EF impairments
-Theta-beta wave ratio EEG testing as an assistive tool for diagnosis

Question 9

ADHD Neurobiology: MRI

Answer 9

delayed maturation of circuitry assoc. with cognitive control and attention + circuitry assoc. with reward systems
-less myelination and synaptic density of pf cortex

Question 10

ADHD Neurobiology: fMRI

Answer 10

hypoactivation (underactive) of frontoparietal network (for executive functioning)
abnormal activation of ventral striatum during reward anticipation (reward circuitry)

Question 11

ADHD Treatment

Answer 11

medication + multimodal treatment most effective
-medication alone more effective than behavioral therapy

Question 12

ADHD Multimodal treatment

Answer 12

-psychoeducation
-individual behavioral therapy and parent training (environmental modification)
-medication trial
-school program/intervention (environmental modification)
-Endeavor Rx: computer based game