Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and Child Development

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to Autism Spectrum Disorder and child development, helping to understand symptoms, brain structures, and the influence of environmental factors.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A developmental disorder that often emerges in the first three years and persists throughout one's life, characterized by profound difficulties in social interactions and communications, along with repetitive/restricted interests, cognitions, and behaviors.

Social Brain

A set of neuroanatomical structures that allows us to understand the actions and intentions of others, including the amygdala, orbital frontal cortex (OFC), fusiform gyrus (FG), and posterior superior temporal sulcus (STS).

Phenotypic heterogeneity

The high degree of variability in the genes underlying Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Social Perception

The initial stages of processing information that culminates in the accurate analysis of dispositions and intentions of others; essential for sophisticated social behaviors.

Endophenotypes

Characteristics not immediately observable that reflect a genetic liability for disease and a more basic component of a complex clinical presentation.

Plasticity

The functioning of the brain is affected by experience over time, indicating that neural development can be modified by environmental factors.

Strange Situation

A procedure used to assess a child's attachment to their caregiver, involving brief separations and reunions to evaluate the child's behavior.

Goodness of fit

The match between a child's temperament and characteristics of parental care that contributes to positive or negative personality development.

Social referencing

When a person consults another's expressions to determine how to respond to ambiguous and uncertain situations.

5-HTTLPR gene expression

A measure associated with the development of conscious behavior, showing low expression when individuals have experienced unresponsive maternal care.