Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and developmental disorders.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A diagnostic category defined by Kanner (1943), characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction.

Developmental Disorders

Disabilities that occur during the developmental period, often affecting social, learning, and communication skills.

Socialization

The process of learning to interact with others and develop relationships.

Imagination

The ability to form new ideas, images, or concepts that are not directly perceived.

Theory of Mind (ToM)

The ability to understand and predict the behavior of others based on their mental states.

Diagnostic Criteria

A set of guidelines used to determine if an individual meets the criteria for a specific diagnosis.

Social-emotional Reciprocity

The interaction and responsiveness to social and emotional cues from others.

Nonverbal Communication

Using body language, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact to convey messages without words.

Meta-representational Deficit

A theoretical explanation of autism suggesting a lack of ability to represent and understand mental states.

Epidemiology of ASD

The study of the distribution and determinants of autism spectrum disorders in populations.

Pragmatic Language Impairments

Difficulties in the social aspects of language use including conversation and use of language in context.

Savant Skills

Areas of exceptional skill or brilliance in a specific domain, often found in individuals with autism.

Cognitive Deficits

Impairments in cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and reasoning, which can affect learning.

Joint Attention

The shared focus of two individuals on an object, typically indicated by eye-gaze, pointing, or verbal references.

Social Interaction

Engaging with others, including communication and nonverbal behaviors in social contexts.

Language Acquisition

The process of learning a language, including its sounds, vocabulary, and grammar.

Retrospective Parental Reports

Parents' recollections and observations about their child's early development and behaviors.

Interpersonal Affective Relatedness

The emotional connection and interaction quality between individuals.

False Belief Task

An experimental task used to assess a child's understanding that others can hold beliefs about the world that are incorrect.

Early Intervention

Support and services provided to children with developmental disorders as early as possible to promote better outcomes.

Cognitive Development

The process of growth and change in intellectual capabilities, affecting thinking and understanding.