Week 2: Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, diagnostic criteria, aetiological models, and treatment approaches for Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD as presented in the lecture.

Neurodevelopment

How the brain organises itself and works in daily life, starting around conception until early adulthood.

Neurodiversity

A term used to describe individual differences in brain development and processes, suggesting that brain variations are natural forms of human diversity.

Neurotypical

Describes an individual whose brain generally functions in a way that is ‘expected’.

Neurodivergent

Describes an individual whose brain functions differently to those who are neurotypical.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

A group of conditions primarily associated with the functioning of the brain and neurological system, typically with onset during infancy and childhood.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by difficulties in social communication and interaction, and restrictive and repetitive patterns in behaviours, interests, and activities.

Australian ASD Prevalence (ABS, 2022)

Estimated at $1-2\%$ of the population, affecting approximately $290,000$ people in $2022$, with a peak prevalence in the $10-14$ year age group.

Social and Emotional Reciprocity

A DSM-5-TR criterion for ASD involving deficits in back-and-forth conversation, sharing of interests, and the ability to initiate or respond to social interactions.

Echolalia

A repetitive pattern of speech involving the repetition of words or phrases, often associated with ASD.

Hyper- or Hyporeactivity to Sensory Input

A symptom domain in ASD involving indifference to pain, adverse responses to specific sounds or textures, or fascination with lights or movement.

Catatonia

Common behaviors in ASD such as rigidity or stupor lasting hours, staying in uncomfortable positions, or erratic and extreme movement.

ASD Level 1

The severity level described as "Requiring Support," characterized by difficulty initiating social interactions and organizational problems that hamper independence.

ASD Level 2

The severity level described as "Requiring Substantial Support," where social interactions are limited to narrow special interests and frequent restricted/repetitive behaviors occur.

ASD Level 3

The severity level described as "Requiring Very Substantial Support," involving severe deficits in verbal and nonverbal social communication and great distress changing actions.

Social Communication Disorder

A differential diagnosis for clinical individuals who have marked deficits in social communication but do not meet the full criteria for ASD.

Brain Hyperconnectivity

A biological perspective of ASD associated with increased connectivity of neural pathways across the whole brain, which can predict more severe social deficits.

Synaptic Pruning

The removal of unnecessary neural pathways to improve efficiency; evidence suggests this process is slowed in ASD due to $mTOR$ hyperactivation.

Masking

The development of compensatory strategies, such as over-preparation or social imitation, to deal with social challenges or appear more neurotypical.

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)

A behavioural treatment approach involving the reinforcement of specific behaviours such as communication or self-care.

Discrete Trial Training

A behavioral method where lessons are broken into simple parts and desired behaviors are rewarded while undesired ones are ignored.

Pivotal Response Training

A behavioral approach taking place in natural settings to improve key skills that help the individual learn other broader skills.

Identity-first Language

Terminology such as "Autistic person," which is strongly preferred by the majority of Autistic self-advocacy communities over person-first language.

Stimming

A neuroaffirming term for repetitive stereotyped behaviours used for self-regulation.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning.

Prevalence of ADHD in Australia

Estimated at $5\%$ of children under $18$, with $70\%$ of cases persisting into adulthood.

ADHD Inattention Criterion

Requires six or more symptoms (five for adults) such as failing to give close attention to details, difficulty sustaining attention, or being easily distracted, lasting at least $6$ months.

ADHD Hyperactivity-Impulsivity Criterion

Requires six or more symptoms (five for adults) such as fidgeting, leaving one's seat, talking excessively, or interrupting others, lasting at least $6$ months.

ADHD Onset Requirement

According to DSM-5-TR, several inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive symptoms must have been present before age $12$ years.

Hypoarousal of the CNS

A theory suggesting that the brain operates at a chronically low arousal level, leading to hyperactivity used to autoregulate.

Dynamic Developmental Theory

A theory suggesting that impaired dopaminergic transmission in frontal and limbic circuits leads to a steeper delay of reinforcement gradient in ADHD.

Dopamine Transfer Deficit Theory

Proposes that while baseline dopamine is normal, the amount of dopamine used in response to reinforcement is altered and ineffective in ADHD.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin)

A stimulant medication that acts as a $DA$ and $NE$ reuptake inhibitor by blocking $DAT$ and $NET$.

Amphetamine

A stimulant that increases concentrations of $DA$, $NE$, and $5-HT$ by inhibiting $VMAT2$ and $MAO$.