Week Five - Developmental Disabilities

Question 1

Define Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Answer 1

Conditions that have onset in the development period and affect the rest of life (social, academic, occupation)

Question 2

Disability vs Difficulty

Answer 2

Learning difficulties are specific barriers that can have intervention to catch up (eg. dyslexia)

Disabilities need life-long support

Question 3

Diagnosis of developmental disabilities

Answer 3

• Intelligence Test : norm = 100, 70 below is first indication
• Adaptive Behaviour: how well you look after yourself and be socially active, ABAS test to score

Question 4

Biological causes of developmental disabilities

Answer 4

Unclear in 55-60% of cases
Genetic mutations sometimes play a part (eg. downs syndrome, mutation of Trisomy 23)

Question 5

Environmental causes of developmental disabilities

Answer 5

If maternal health conditions not properly managed but NO CLEAR EVIDENCE

Question 6

Prognosis of somebody with a developmental disability

Answer 6

Significantly shorter + greater risks due to avoidable causes
Likely need support with carers / family
12-39% homeless population
CJS - 7-20% have learning disability

Question 7

What does autism look like?

Answer 7

Diagnostically - impairments in social interaction, communication, repetitive behaviour

Dyad of impairment - sociocommunication impairment with restrictive repetitive behaviours

Sensory - smells, touch, light, taste

Question 8

How are autistic individuals diagnosed?

Answer 8

Autistic Observation Schedules, interviews, developmental interviews
Issues with tools (biased to males, time consuming, comorbidity, masking)

Question 9

Two main causes of autism

Answer 9

Not known
1. Genes - runs in family but common gene not identified
2. Environmental - premature births, alcohol/drug exposure

Question 10

Four main theories explaining autism

Answer 10

1. ToM
2. Executive Function - restriction of behaviours, response control etc.
3. Weak Central Coherence - inability to see bigger picture, local processing rather than global
4. Empathising vs Systemising - using rules to predict future events and actions

Question 11

Treatment for autistic individuals

Answer 11

Intervention based, support programmes, psycho-social treatment, medication
Depends on individuals and their level of needs