readings

Vocabulary flashcards covering ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disorders, and Anxiety Disorders based directly on lecture slides.

Physical/Emotional and Developmental (Dis)ability Health (Cultural Wheel Identity)

A primary dimension of identity encompassing physical, emotional, and neurodevelopmental health states, conditions, and disabilities.

Race, Ethnicity, Cultural Background, Nativity, and Immigration Status (Cultural Wheel Identity)

A primary dimension of identity covering racial and ethnic background, cultural heritage, country of origin, and immigration status.

Gender, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (Cultural Wheel Identity)

A primary dimension of identity related to biological sex, internal sense of self regarding gender, and public presentation of gender.

Age (Cultural Wheel Identity)

A primary dimension of identity based on chronological age and life stage context.

Educational, Occupational, and Socio-Economic Status (Cultural Wheel Identity)

A primary dimension of identity defined by educational attainment, career/work status, and socio-economic class position.

Religion, Spiritual Beliefs, and Worldview (Cultural Wheel Identity)

A primary dimension of identity centered around faith, spiritual practices, religious affiliations, and overall worldview.

Sexuality and Sexual Orientation (Cultural Wheel Identity)

A primary dimension of identity involving sexual orientation, attraction, and identity.

Family Structure, Romantic Partnership, and Caregiver Status (Cultural Wheel Identity)

A primary dimension of identity concerning family makeup, intimate partnerships, marital status, and caregiver roles.

DSM-5 Symptoms of Inattentive ADHD

Requires persistent presence of at least $6$ of the following symptoms for at least $6\,\text{months}$: 1. Difficulty paying close attention to details or making careless mistakes. 2. Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities. 3. Appearing not to listen when spoken to directly. 4. Failure to follow through on instructions and failure to finish duties or tasks. 5. Difficulty organizing tasks, activities, and managing time. 6. Avoidance, dislike, or reluctance to engage in tasks requiring sustained mental effort. 7. Frequent loss of items necessary for tasks or activities. 8. High susceptibility to distraction by extraneous stimuli or internal thoughts. 9. Frequent forgetfulness in daily activities.

Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD Diagnostic Symptoms (DSM-5)

Requires the persistent presence of at least $6$ of the following symptoms for a duration of at least $6\,\text{months}$: 1. Frequent fidgeting, tapping hands/feet, or squirming in seat. 2. Inability to remain seated in situations where sitting is expected (such as classroom or workplace environments). 3. Feelings of restlessness or inappropriate running/climbing. 4. Inability to engage quietly in leisure or play activities. 5. Talking excessively or blurting out thoughts without thinking. 6. Severe difficulty waiting for one's turn. 7. Frequent interrupting or intruding on others during conversations or activities.

Etiology and Causes of ADHD

1. Genetics: Plays a major underlying role in vulnerability, though definitive proof of a single congenital origin remains undetermined. 2. Environmental Toxin Exposure: In utero or early childhood exposure to environmental toxins increases risk. 3. Fetal and Pregnancy Health: Gestational exposure to tobacco smoke or alcohol elevates disorder risk, with a $2018$ study showing significantly higher risk among children whose birthing parents were heavy smokers. 4. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Brain damage resulting from early life trauma, physical head injury, or abnormal cerebral development. 5. Infectious Illnesses: Central nervous system infections during childhood, specifically meningitis or encephalitis.

Antidepressants (ADHD)

Prescribed off-label when standard treatments are unsuitable. Includes Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs like Bupropion), Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs like Venlafaxine), and Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs like Desipramine and Imipramine).

Neurostimulation Therapy (ADHD)

Direct neurostimulation targeting brain regions displaying dysregulated or irregular electrical activity.

ADHD Comorbidities

Psychiatric conditions that frequently co-occur with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), including Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Substance Use Disorders (SUD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and Conduct Disorder.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Diagnostic criteria require at least $4$ symptoms across three categories for at least $6\,\text{months}$. Symptoms include: 1) Angry/Irritable Mood: Frequently loses temper, easily touchy/annoyed, often angry and resentful. 2) Argumentative/Defiant Behavior: Frequently argues with adults or authority figures, actively defies or refuses compliance with requests/rules. 3) Vindictiveness: Spiteful or vindictive at least $2\,\text{times}$ within the preceding $6\,\text{months}$, deliberately annoys others, or shifts blame for mistakes onto others. Treatment: Dual-branch approach utilizing psychotherapy and prescribed pharmacotherapy.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Core Definition and Continuum

A neurodevelopmental disorder altering social interaction, communication modalities, and behavioral patterns. Needs range along a continuous spectrum from low to high support requirement.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Clinical Manifestations and Behavioral Signs

Includes all of the following clinical signs: 1. Reduced interest in or trouble relating to other people. 2. Hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory inputs (light, sound, clothing texture, temperature, smell, taste). 3. Avoidance of eye contact and marked preference for isolation. 4. Severe difficulty articulating personal feelings or needs. 5. Repetitive motor behaviors or stereotypies. 6. Absence of joint attention (e.g., failure to look at or point to external objects like an airplane). 7. Impaired imaginative or pretend play (e.g., lack of doll-feeding scenarios). 8. Marked distress or resistance in response to routine disruptions. 9. Immediate or delayed echolalia (echoing spoken words/phrases) or repetitive speech patterns. 10. Developmental regression (loss of previously acquired language or social skills). 11. Atypical speech prosody, pitch, or vocal cadence.

Genetic Factors of ASD

Primary determinant, estimated to account for $80\%$ of autism etiology.

Prenatal and Perinatal Risk Factors of ASD

Includes gestational exposure to atmospheric air pollution or chemical pesticides, maternal diabetes or autoimmune disorders, premature birth occurring prior to $36\,\text{weeks}$ gestation, intrapartum complications (breech delivery, fetal distress, or low birth weight), and perinatal hypoxia (limited cerebral oxygen supply during birth).

Neurological and Morphological Indicators of ASD

Includes disrupted functional brain connectivity, structural localized brain overgrowth shortly after birth (specifically within the frontal cortex), and metabolic dysfunction (disrupted cellular energy production).

Demographic and Maternal Predictors of ASD

Includes male sex (autism is $4\,\text{times}$ more prevalent in males than females), advanced paternal age, and maternal gestational complications (gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, antepartum/postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia, or grand multiparity of more than $4$ prior births).

Pharmacotherapy

Prescribed strictly to manage comorbid symptoms such as depression, seizures, gastrointestinal issues, anxiety, and irritability.

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)

A therapy approach that modifies behavioral patterns to build adaptive skills and minimize harm.

Discrete Trial Training (DTT)

An instructional technique that breaks complex target behaviors down into step-by-step instructional units.

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI)

An early intervention behavioral strategy targeting early communication acquisition and reducing disruptive behaviors.

Pivotal Response Training (PRT)

A behavioral strategy designed to enhance pivotal domains like self-monitoring, motivation, and social interaction.

Verbal Behavior Intervention (VBI)

A therapy that focuses directly on teaching functional vocal language skills.

Relationship-Based Therapy (DIR / Floortime)

A play-centered interaction strategy that builds social-emotional capacity.

Social Skills Training

An intervention focusing on non-verbal interpretation, including eye contact, gestures, vocal inflection, humor, and sarcasm.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A therapeutic intervention addressing cognitive-emotional links and thought-behavior connections.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

A therapy that teaches foundational activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing, eating, and dressing.

Sensory Integration Therapy

An intervention designed to assist individuals in processing and integrating complex sensory input.

Speech Therapy

A treatment enhancing vocal articulation, gestural expression, and the use of augmentative picture boards.

Assistive Technology

The use of electronic communication aids to support non-verbal individuals in expressing themselves.

Complementary/Alternative Approaches

Interventions including options like chelation therapy, weighted blankets, melatonin, omega-3 fatty acids, relaxation techniques, and GFCF diets.

Intellectual Deficits

Delayed cognitive milestones (learning letters/numbers), speech delays, failure to link cause and effect, memory impairment, inability to follow multi-step instructions, and academic plateauing at elementary levels.

Adaptive Functioning Deficits

Delayed self-care skills (toilet training, dressing, feeding), delayed motor milestones (sitting, crawling, walking), failure to understand social norms, poor social judgment, emotional dysregulation, and need for frequent social playground interventions.

Coping Behaviors & Suicidality (anxiety disorder)

Refers to the increased rate of substance abuse used for self-medication and the significantly elevated risk of suicidal ideation and attempts, particularly when co-occurring with personality or mood disorders.