RISK AND RESIL- Week 7-11 test

Question 1

Neurodevelopmental disorders

Answer 1

A group of disorders that arise during the developmental period, before adulthood.

Question 2

Why do neurodevelopmental disorders occur?

Answer 2

Improper developmental of the central nervous system, as a result of interplay between enviromental and genetic factors.

Question 3

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Answer 3

A neurodevelopmental condition. Effects cognitive, sensory and social processing. Present from early childhood.

Question 4

Three functional levels of autism

Answer 4

Level 1: requiring support (difficulty initiating social interactions, organsiation and planning issues)

Level 2: requiring substantial support (social interactions limited to narrow special interests, repetitive behaviours)

Level 3: Requiring very substantial support (severe verbal deficits in verbal and non verbal communication, distress/difficulty changing actions)

Question 5

Autism Epidemiology

Answer 5

Us prevalence: 1/54
NZ identification: 1/102
Gender: 3:1 (m:f)

Question 6

Why is ASD presented more in males than females?

Answer 6

Girls more socially aware, masking and camouflaging and diagnostic bias

Question 7

Neuro correlations with ASD

Answer 7

Regions including cerebral cortex, limbic system, and cerebellum are all affected.

Question 8

DSM-5 Diagnostic criteria for ASD

Answer 8

A: Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across many contexts.

A1: Deficits in social emotional reciprocity (monotone voice, initiating conversations, back and fourth convo)

A2: Deficits in nonverbal communicative behaviours used for social interactions (difficulty in non verbal communication)

A3: Deficits in developing, maintaining and understanding relationships

Question 9

Theory of Mind (ToM)

Answer 9

The cognitive ability to understand that others have thoughts, beliefs and, desired and intentions that differ from there own.

Question 10

At what age does theory of mind typically develop?

Answer 10

Around age 3 to 4

Question 11

What are examples of theory of mind challenges in ASD?

Answer 11

• Difficulty understanding sarcasm or irony.

-Trouble with social cues like body language and tone

-Challenges with perspective taking

Question 12

How is ToM assessed?

Answer 12

• False belief tasks
  -Sally and Anne scenario

Question 13

What are the DSM-5 core diagnostic criteria for ASD?

Answer 13

-Persistent deficits in social communication and interaction
-Restricted, repetitve patterns of behaviours, interests, or actitivities
-Symptoms present in early developmental period
-Symptoms cause significant impairment
-Not better explained by intellectual disability alone

Question 14

What are the example of restricted/repetitive behaviours in ASD?

Answer 14

-Repetitive movements
-Inflexible routines
-Intense interests
-Unusual sensory responses

Question 15

What is sensory processing disorder in ASD?

Answer 15

Atypical responses to sensory input (e.g., hyper- or hypo- sensitivity to sounds, lights, textures)

Question 16

Common comorbidities with ASD?

Answer 16

Intellectual disability

Language disorders

ADHD

Anxiety and depression

Specific learning disorders

Suicide risk

Question 17

When can ASD be diagnosed?

Answer 17

As early as 1 year old, based on developmental milestones such as smiling, babbling, and gesture use.

Question 18

What are some early signs of ASD?

Answer 18

No joyful expressions by 6 months

No babbling by 12 months

No pointing or showing by 12 months

No words by 16 months

Loss of skills at any age

Question 19

What does the “development and course” of ASD look like?

Answer 19

Lifelong difficulties

Individuals often develop coping strategies over time

May mask or camouflage symptoms

Question 20

What is the impact of ASD diagnosis?

Answer 20

Diagnosis helps identify impairments

Important to recognize strengths and adaptive traits

Can help tailor support and interventions

Question 21

What is the best practice for ASD assessment?

Answer 21

Early assessment and intervention

Conducted by trained professionals (e.g., psychologists, pediatricians)

Interdisciplinary approach

Across multiple settings

Uses interviews, observations, developmental history

Question 22

What is trauma in children?

Answer 22

Trauma is the emotional, psychological, and physiological residue from stressful or threatening experiences. It can be from single or repeated events.

Question 23

What are the three E’s of trauma?

Answer 23

Event(s), Experience of event(s), and Effect. Trauma is defined by what happened, how it was experienced, and its lasting effects.

Question 24

What is the DSM-5 criteria A for PTSD?

Answer 24

Exposure to death, serious injury, or sexual violence via direct experience, witnessing, learning of a close person’s trauma, or repeated exposure to details.

Question 25

What is complex PTSD?

Answer 25

It includes PTSD symptoms plus difficulties in emotional regulation, negative self-beliefs, and trouble with relationships. Not a separate DSM diagnosis.

Question 26

What is reactive attachment Disorder (RAD)?

Answer 26

A condition where children fail to form healthy attachments due to early neglect or mistreatment. Diagnosed before age 5, after age 9 months.

Question 27

What is the ACE study?

Answer 27

A landmark study linking childhood adversity (abuse, neglect, household dysfunction) to long-term health outcomes like heart disease and depression.

Question 28

What is polyvictimization?

Answer 28

Experiencing multiple different types of trauma, which has greater impact than repeated instances of one type.

Question 29

What are common types of child maltreatment?

Answer 29

Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, exposure to domestic violence, and bullying.

Question 30

What are signs of PTSD in children?

Answer 30

Nightmares, physical symptoms (headaches, stomach aches), traumatic play, reenactments, and emotional withdrawal.

Question 31

What are protective factors against trauma?

Answer 31

Secure attachment, intelligence, stable home, prosocial relationships, and safe neighborhood during childhood.

Question 32

What is TF-CBT?

Answer 32

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It combines CBT with family support to address trauma through coping skills, education, and exposure.

Question 33

What is ADHD?

Answer 33

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that impacts daily functioning and well-being.

Question 34

What are the subtypes of ADHD?

Answer 34

ADHD-I (Inattentive), ADHD-H (Hyperactive/Impulsive), ADHD-C (Combined type).

Question 35

What are the key characteristics of ADHD-I?

Answer 35

Often seen as spacey or apathetic, commonly mistaken for anxiety or mood disorder, more prevalent in girls and individuals with ASD.

Question 36

What are key characteristics of ADHD-H?

Answer 36

Includes obvious hyperactivity and impulsiveness, more likely to be diagnosed, involves impaired response inhibition.

Question 37

How common is ADHD?

Answer 37

Globally ~7.6% in children and 5.6% in teens. More diagnosed in boys during childhood, but levels out in adulthood.

Question 38

Why is ADHD underdiagnosed in girls?

Answer 38

Girls may present less obvious symptoms and are often diagnosed only after secondary issues appear.

Question 39

Can ADHD persist into adulthood?

Answer 39

Yes. Symptoms may change form but persist. Adult diagnosis often follows missed childhood signs due to masking or misunderstanding.

Question 40

What causes ADHD?

Answer 40

It is highly heritable (60–70%). Involves brain structure and function differences, and environmental risk factors like prenatal exposure or trauma.

Question 41

What are common comorbidities with ADHD?

Answer 41

Anxiety, mood disorders, conduct disorder, ASD, learning disorders, substance use disorders.

Question 42

What are the treatment options for ADHD?

Answer 42

Stimulants (e.g., Ritalin, Vyvanse), non-stimulants (e.g., Atomoxetine), and non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., behavioral therapy).

Question 43

What is Barkley's theory of ADHD?

Answer 43

ADHD is a delay in self-regulation and executive functioning by about 30%, not just a difference in attention span.

Question 44

What executive function challenges are linked with ADHD?

Answer 44

Issues with planning, organizing, time management, remembering instructions, and shifting attention.

Question 45

What is emotional dysregulation in ADHD?

Answer 45

Quick emotional reactions, difficulty calming down, often misdiagnosed as mood disorder; not currently in the DSM.

Question 46

What are the sleep challenges in ADHD?

Answer 46

Up to 80% of adults with ADHD have sleep issues, which exacerbate ADHD symptoms.

Question 47

How is ADHD portrayed in media?

Answer 47

Social media, especially TikTok, increases awareness but also risks overgeneralization and self-diagnosis. Accurate representation is vital.

Question 48

What is oppositional disorder (ODD)?

Answer 48

ODD involves persistent defiant, disobedient, and hostile behavior toward authority

Question 49

What is Conduct disorder (CD)?

Answer 49

involves repetitive severe antisocial and aggressive behaviors.

Question 50

What are common symptoms of ODD?

Answer 50

Loses temper, easily annoyed, argumentative, defies rules, deliberately annoys others, blames others, spiteful/vindictive (DSM-5 criteria: 4+ for 6 months).

Question 51

What is the prevalence of ODD and CD?

Answer 51

Globally, ODD is ~3.6% and CD is ~2.1%. In NZ, rates among Māori 16–18 years old are 11.3% vs 4% for non-Māori.

Question 52

How do aggression types differ?

Answer 52

Physical (hitting), verbal (yelling), and relational (exclusion); Proactive (planned) vs Reactive (impulsive) aggression.

Question 53

What is the difference between childhood-onset and adolescent-onset CD?

Answer 53

Childhood-onset (before 10, more boys, severe, persistent); Adolescent-onset (more balanced gender, less severe, better prognosis).

Question 54

What are callous-unemotional (CU) traits?

Answer 54

Low empathy, restricted affect, interpersonal callousness; associated with severe, stable antisocial behavior.

Question 55

What is Patterson’s Coercion Theory?

Answer 55

Antisocial behavior develops through coercive parent-child interactions reinforced by negative patterns.

Question 56

What are Rothbart's temperament dimensions?

Answer 56

Reactivity (arousal, intensity) and Self-Regulation (emotional control, adaptability, persistence).

Question 57

How does social information processing relate to aggression?

Answer 57

Aggressive children misinterpret social cues, assume hostile intent, generate fewer solutions, and favor aggressive responses (Crick & Dodge model).

Question 58

What are common comorbidities with ODD/CD?

Answer 58

ADHD, anxiety disorders, OCD, depression, autism.

Question 59

Are ODD and CD seperate conditions?

Answer 59

Yes. While CD can follow ODD, many with CD did not have prior ODD, and most with ODD do not develop CD.

Question 60

What are effective treatments for CD and ODD?

Answer 60

Early, intensive, and tailored interventions; focus on parenting, social skills training, and emotion regulation; particularly important for CU traits.

Question 61

What are the core symptoms of depression in children?

Answer 61

Persistent sadness, loss of enjoyment, and irritability.

Question 62

What is the average episode length and recurrence rate of depression?

Answer 62

Average episode is 7-9 months; 40% recur within 2 years, 60% by adulthood.

Question 63

What are common symptoms of depression in teens?

Answer 63

Anhedonia, hopelessness, sleep/appetite changes, suicidal ideation, drug use.

Question 64

What are the key risk factors for childhood depression?

Answer 64

Parental depression, family conflict, low SES, abuse, chronic stress.

Question 65

How does suicide relate to depression in adolescents?

Answer 65

60% of depressed youth have suicidal thoughts; 30% attempt; girls more likely than boys.

Question 66

What distinguishes fear from anxiety?

Answer 66

Fear is a response to immediate threat; anxiety is anticipation of future threat.

Question 67

What are the three response systems in anxiety?

Answer 67

Physical (e.g. increased heart rate), Cognitive (e.g. worry), and Behavioural (e.g. avoidance).

Question 68

What is seperation anxiety disorder (SAD)?

Answer 68

Excessive anxiety about separation from caregivers, common in young children.

Question 69

What is specific phobia?

Answer 69

Irrational fear of a specific object or situation lasting 6+ months, causing impairment.

Question 70

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Answer 70

Fear of social situations and performance, with onset in adolescence; common in girls.

Question 71

How do genetics influence anxiety?

Answer 71

About 1/3 of childhood anxiety symptoms are genetic; linked to serotonin/dopamine systems.

Question 72

What is resilience in human development?

Answer 72

Resilience refers to factors that protect individuals from developing psychopathology despite the presence of risk factors.

Question 73

What is a risk factor in psychology?

Answer 73

Any condition or circumstance that increases the likelihood of developing psychopathology.

Question 74

What is a vulnerability factor?

Answer 74

A factor that intensifies an indivdual's response to risk.

Question 75

What is a protective factor?

Answer 75

A characteristic or condition that reduces the likelihood of negative outcomes despite risk.

Question 76

What does positive psychology focus on?

Answer 76

Optimal human functioning, aiming to promote factors that help individuals and communities thrive.

Question 77

Who is a key founder of positive psychology and what did he develop?

Answer 77

Abraham maslow; devloped the theory of human motivation (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs).

Question 78

How does positive psychology differ from traditional psychology?

Answer 78

It focuses on strengths and flourishing, while traditional psychology focuses on deficits and dysfunction.

Question 79

What is misconception #1 about deficits?

Answer 79

Fixing what's wrong does not automatically lead to well-being; absence of mental illness ≠ presence of mental health.

Question 80

What is misconception #2?

Answer 80

Effective coping isn’t just reducing negative states—it’s about managing stress effectively.

Question 81

What is misconception #3?

Answer 81

A deficit focus alone does not prevent problems. Prevention requires understanding why some people thrive.

Question 82

Who is Michael Ungar?

Answer 82

A researcher on resilience and Principal Investigator at the Resilience Research Centre (Dalhousie University).

Question 83

What does Ungar argue is essential for resilience?

Answer 83

Supportive environments that foster change, survival, and flourishing—not just individual traits like grit.

Question 84

What are the 9 things all children need for resilience (Ungar)?

Answer 84

Structure, Consequences, Parent-child connection, Strong relationships, Powerful identity, Sense of control, Sense of belonging, Fair treatment, and Physical/psychological safety.

Question 85

What are types of neurodevelopmental disorders

Answer 85

Intellectual disabilities, communication disorder, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), specific learning disorders (SLDs), motor disorders.

Question 86

What are the two main domains of ASD?

Answer 86

Social communication impairment and restricted/repetitive behaviours.

Question 87

What does altered brain connectivity mean in the context of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

Answer 87

It refers to both reduced (hypo-) and increased (hyper-) communication between brain regions, especially in networks involved in social functioning like the temporo- and frontolimbic areas.

Question 88

Which brain regions are commonly affected in individuals with ASD?

Answer 88

The cerebral cortex, limbic system, and cerebellum often show structural and functional differences in people with ASD.

Question 89

What is the “social brain network” and how is it relevant to ASD?

Answer 89

It includes regions like the temporal and frontal lobes and the limbic system, which are involved in social understanding and are often functionally altered in ASD.

Question 90

Stressor

Answer 90

any event—either witnessed firsthand, experienced personally, or experienced that increases physical or psychological demands on an individual

Question 91

Childhood trauma

Answer 91

may be related to a specific event * death of a loved one, a natural disaster, and other adverse childhood events

Question 92

maltreatment

Answer 92

neglect or abuse of a child

Question 93

What is trauma?

Answer 93

Trauma is the emotional, psychological and physiological residue left over from heightened stress that accompanies experience of threat, violence and life changing events

Question 94

Types of traumatic events

Answer 94

Complex trauma * Family violence * Medical trauma * Natural disasters * Community and school violence * Neglect * Physical abuse * Sexual abuse * Traumatic grief * Refugee and war zone trauma

Question 95

What system is activated immediately during stress?

Answer 95

The catecholamine system/sympathetic nervous system, triggering the fight-or-flight response.

Question 96

What does the HPA axis do in the stress response?

Answer 96

It regulates longer-term stress by releasing cortisol through a chain reaction from the hypothalamus → pituitary → adrenal glands.

Question 97

What hormone is released by the HPA axis during stress?

Answer 97

Cortisol

Question 98

How can trauma affect the brain’s stress system?

Answer 98

Trauma can alter HPA axis activity, disrupt emotional brain circuits, and increase risk for mental health disorders like PTSD and depression.

Question 99

What early experiences are known to disrupt the HPA axis?

Answer 99

Abuse, neglect, or deprivation during childhood.

Question 100

What system shows more consistent changes after trauma—neuroendocrine or neuroanatomy?

Answer 100

Neuroendocrine (e.g., HPA axis changes) is more consistently affected.

Question 101

How does trauma affect the HPA axis?

Answer 101

It can lead to a blunted cortisol response and disrupted cortisol patterns throughout the day.

Question 102

What brain changes are associated with childhood trauma?

Answer 102

Smaller prefrontal cortex, increased amygdala reactivity, and disrupted brain connectivity.

Question 103

What cognitive functions may be affected by maltreatment?

Answer 103

Working memory, attention, processing speed, language, visual-spatial and motor skills.

Question 104

Q: What kind of trauma most often leads to CPTSD?

Answer 104

Prolonged or repeated trauma from which escape is difficult or impossible, such as childhood abuse or captivity.

Question 105

What must be present for someone to be diagnosed with CPTSD?

Answer 105

What must be present for someone to be diagnosed with CPTSD?

Question 106

What is the core feature of Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)?

Answer 106

Emotionally withdrawn behavior toward adult caregivers, including failure to seek or respond to comfort.

Question 107

List two domains of functioning affected by ASD according to DSM-5-TR.

Answer 107

Social communication & interaction; Repetitive behaviors/restricted interests

Question 108

What are the three symptom domains of ODD in DSM-5-TR?

Answer 108

Irritable/angry mood, argumentative/defiant behavior, vindictiveness

Question 109

The Yerkes-Dodson Law

Answer 109

suggests performance increases with arousal to a point, after which too much anxiety decreases performance.