Neurodevelopmental Disorders – Chapter 14 Review

These flashcards cover key definitions, statistics, causes, and treatments of Neurodevelopmental Disorders—including ADHD, Specific Learning Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Intellectual Disability—as presented in Chapter 14 of Barlow & Durand’s Psychopathology (9th ed.).

Under what developmental period are Neurodevelopmental Disorders first diagnosed?

Infancy, childhood, or adolescence.

Why must clinicians be cautious when diagnosing childhood disorders?

To avoid pathologizing behavior that is developmentally normal.

Name five major Neurodevelopmental Disorders covered in DSM-5.

ADHD, Specific Learning Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, Communication & Motor Disorders.

What speech disorder is commonly called stuttering and is twice as common in boys?

Childhood-onset fluency disorder.

Which communication disorder involves limited speech across all situations and affects up to 15% of children under three?

Language disorder.

Difficulty with the social use of verbal and non-verbal language defines which disorder?

Social (pragmatic) communication disorder.

What disorder is characterized by motor and vocal tics and shows high comorbidity with ADHD and OCD?

Tourette’s disorder.

List the three primary symptom clusters of ADHD.

Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Which ADHD presentation includes both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms?

Combined presentation.

Worldwide, approximately what percentage of school-aged children meet ADHD criteria?

About 5%.

How does the ratio of ADHD diagnoses differ by gender?

Boys outnumber girls roughly 3 : 1.

At what age do ADHD symptoms typically begin to appear?

Around ages 3–4.

Name two dopamine-related genes implicated in ADHD.

D3 or D4 receptor genes and the DAT1 dopamine transporter gene.

What brain regions show reduced activity or size in ADHD?

Frontal cortex and basal ganglia.

How can maternal behavior increase a child's ADHD risk?

Maternal smoking during pregnancy.

What is the primary pharmacological class used to treat ADHD?

Stimulant medications (e.g., methylphenidate, amphetamines).

Do ADHD medications directly improve academic learning?

No; they mainly reduce core symptoms but do not directly enhance learning.

Which treatment approach for ADHD often yields the best outcomes?

Combined biological (medication) and psychosocial (behavioral/CBT) interventions.

Define Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) in DSM-5 terms.

Academic performance substantially below expectations for the person’s IQ, age, and education in reading, math, and/or writing.

Name the three former disorder types now combined into SLD.

Reading Disorder, Mathematics Disorder, Written Expression Disorder.

What percentage of youth worldwide meet criteria for SLD?

Approximately 5–15%.

Which academic area is most commonly impaired in SLD?

Reading (about 7% of the population).

Give two negative life outcomes associated with untreated SLD.

Higher dropout rates and increased suicidal thoughts (also unemployment, negative school experience).

What left-hemisphere brain regions are frequently implicated in reading disorders?

Broca’s area, left parietotemporal, and left occipitotemporal regions.

What is the cornerstone of SLD treatment?

Intensive behavioral-educational interventions focused on skill remediation and compensation.

Identify the two broad domains of impairment in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

(1) Social communication and interaction, (2) Restricted, repetitive behaviors or interests.

What proportion of children with ASD never acquire effective speech?

Roughly 10–33%.

Explain "joint attention" and its relevance to ASD.

The ability to share focus on an object with another person; deficits are common in ASD and hinder social reciprocity.

Give an example of a stereotyped behavior seen in severe ASD.

Hand-flapping, spinning, or rocking.

What is the current prevalence estimate for ASD among 8-year-olds?

About 1 in 68 children.

State the male-to-female diagnosis ratio for ASD.

Approximately 4–5 : 1.

Which neuropeptide receptor gene is linked to social bonding deficits in ASD?

Oxytocin receptor gene.

Does scientific evidence support a link between childhood vaccinations and ASD?

No; vaccines do NOT increase ASD risk.

What treatment approach has the most empirical support for improving core ASD symptoms?

Early, intensive behavioral interventions (e.g., skill-building, naturalistic teaching strategies).

Define Intellectual Disability (ID) according to DSM-5.

Deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning with onset during the developmental period, typically IQ below 70–75.

Match each IQ range to its ID severity level: 50–70, 35–55, 20–40, below 20.

Mild 50–70, Moderate 35–55, Severe 20–40, Profound below 20.

Which chromosomal trisomy is the most common cause of ID?

Down syndrome (Trisomy 21).

Name the X-linked condition that often produces learning disabilities and gaze avoidance.

Fragile X syndrome.

Which inherited metabolic disorder causes ID when phenylalanine is not restricted in the diet?

Phenylketonuria (PKU).

Self-injurious behavior, cerebral palsy symptoms, and ID characterize which rare genetic disorder?

Lesch–Nyhan syndrome.

What term describes ID arising from environmental factors like abuse or neglect?

Cultural-familial intellectual disability.

List three skill domains targeted by behavioral treatment of ID.

Basic self-care, social skills, and practical skills.

What large U.S. program provides educational and nutritional support to at-risk children as a preventive measure?

Head Start.

Why is early identification essential for preventing neurodevelopmental disorders?

It allows for early intervention and support, which can reduce severity and improve outcomes.

Which future technology holds promise for preventing some neurodevelopmental disorders prenatally?

Genetic screening and prenatal gene therapy.