14 - Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs)

autism, learning disabilities, intellectual disability, ADHD

Autism Spectrum Disorder

heritable disorder, more common in boys, more common with older parents

environmental causes of ASD

in utero: exposure to medication. Prenatal: multiple gestation, infection. perinatal: low birth weight, neonatal encephalopathy.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity

qualifiers for ADHD

must be present before age 12, present in at least 2 contexts, must interfere with quality of life

parenting stress

the perceived discrepancy between the demands of parenting and the resources available to meet those demands

6 main areas of parental experience

pre diagnosis, diagnosis, family life adjustment, navigating the system, parental empowerment, moving forward

phases of waiting

watchful, informed, contemplative

watchful waiting

noticing suspected behaviors, searching for assessment and Dx

informed waiting

recieiving the diagnosis, facing the challenges in accessing treatment services, realizing the impact of an ASD diagnosis

contemplative waiting

pondering the future, reflecting on the past, making recommendations