2001.9 - Neurodivergence in development and autism

What are developmental conditions/differences?

Conditions manifesting before adulthood that alter typical development in areas such as motor, cognitive, or socio-emotional.

What is the significance of language in developmental psychology?

Language matters and is always changing; diagnostic manuals may refer to 'neurodevelopmental disorders' for those with functional impairments.

What must be present according to DSM-V criteria for autism diagnosis?

Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction, restricted repetitive patterns of behavior, symptoms present in early childhood, and limitations in everyday functioning.

Name one example of a developmental condition.

Autism.

What genetic condition is associated with an extra copy of chromosome 21?

Down syndrome.

What factors can lead to developmental conditions in children?

Chromosomal abnormalities, prenatal factors, or a combination of genetic, environmental, psychological, and neurological factors.

What did Kanner (1943) describe about autism?

He noted low IQ, 'autistic aloneness,' and a desire for sameness or upset by changes.

What is the Triad of Impairments according to Wing & Gould (1979)?

Impairments in social interaction, communication, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior.

What do deficits in social-emotional reciprocity refer to in autism diagnosis?

Difficulties in sharing emotions and responding appropriately in social situations.

How does the Theory of Mind deficit relate to autism?

It suggests autistic individuals may struggle to understand the mental states of others, affecting social interactions.

What evidence suggests a hereditary component in autism?

Studies that show similarities in autism prevalence among twins and family members.

What is Executive Functioning (EF) in the context of autism?

An umbrella term that includes planning, organizing, inhibition, and impulse control; may impact developmental outcomes.

What is Weak Central Coherence?

The tendency of autistic individuals to focus on details rather than the overall context or global information.

What are characteristic symptoms of autism according to DSM-V?

Deficits in communication, social interactions, and restricted patterns of behavior.

What is the double-empathy problem?

It refers to the breakdown in mutual understanding between autistic and non-autistic people due to different social communication styles.

What is an example of a traditional autism theory?

Theory of Mind deficit theory.

What does 'islets of ability' refer to in autism?

Exceptional abilities in certain areas despite challenges in others.

What critique exists surrounding traditional ToM tasks?

Not all autistic children fail ToM tasks, suggesting broader factors at play.

What impact does early diagnosis have on autism?

Symptoms may appear early, around 12-18 months, but formal diagnosis often occurs later.

What is Baron-Cohen's Sally-Anne task?

A test measuring an individual's ability to understand false beliefs in others.

What did the study by Baron-Cohen et al. find regarding ToM tasks?

Autistic individuals performed significantly worse on tasks compared to typically developing children.

What are the limitations of the ToM hypothesis?

Not all children exhibit ToM deficits, challenging the universality of the hypothesis.

What is the significance of the Strange Stories Task?

It assesses understanding of mental states in a more natural context compared to traditional ToM tasks.

What did Gernsbacher & Yergeau (2019) critique about ToM claims?

They highlighted failures in specificity, universality, replicability, and validity in claims that autistic individuals lack ToM.

What is one predicted performance variable in ToM tasks?

Vocabulary knowledge, which may predict performance more than age.

What is a common misconception about autistic individuals?

That they lack empathy or emotional understanding.

In what context might the ToM tasks fail to measure effective understanding?

They may rely heavily on spoken language abilities rather than actual social understanding.

How can biases affect perceptions of autistic individuals?

They can lead to dehumanization and ignore the voices and experiences of autistic people.

What psychological aspect is often overlooked in traditional views of autism?

The various expressions of social behavior among autistic individuals.

What is one recommendation for future approaches in autism research?

Acknowledge the different ways autistic individuals perceive and interact with the world.

What did the readings from Baron-Cohen et al. (1997) propose?

That the ability to infer mental states may be impaired in autistic individuals compared to neurotypical individuals.

What challenges do non-autistic individuals face in understanding autistic behaviors?

They may fail to interpret social cues, leading to a breakdown in communication.

Why are guest lectures recommended in the PSY2001 course?

To provide diverse perspectives consistent with the main lecturer's content.

How does the feedback from students inform instructional improvements?

It highlights needs for more inclusive content and varied teaching methods that enhance learning outcomes.

What role do environmental influences play in developmental psychology?

They are crucial factors that can impact a child's development and must be included in the lecture content.

What is the aim of the essay workshop mentioned in the feedback?

To prepare students effectively for the exam and enhance their understanding of key concepts.

What are some recommended readings for understanding neurodivergence?

Gernsbacher & Yergeau (2019), Jaswal & Akhtar (2019), and Sheppard et al (2016).

Why is it important to clarify relationships between hypotheses, methods, and conclusions in scientific studies?

Understanding these relationships enhances comprehension of research and its implications.

What is one suggested improvement for the PSY2001 course lectures?

Incorporating more videos and interactive quizzes throughout the lecture.

What is the main theme of Lecture 9 in PSY 2001?

Neurodivergence in development and particularly focusing on Autism.

How can understanding the history of autism help contemporary views?

It provides context to current theories and helps shape future perspectives on autism.

What aspect of the guest lecturer's content is important for consistency?

Aligning the guest lecture materials with the main lecturer's core content and teachings.

What does the term 'person-first language' refer to?

Referring to individuals as 'persons with autism' to emphasize their humanity over their condition.

The Triad of Impairments in Autism

Defined by Wing & Gould (1979), the Triad includes deficits in social interaction, communication, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior. Research shows how these impairments affect daily functioning.

Genetic Factors in Autism

Twin studies and family prevalence indicate a hereditary component in autism. Supporting research includes studies by Bailey et al. (1995) that reveal higher concordance rates in identical twins than fraternal twins.

Environmental Influences on Autism Development

Prenatal factors such as maternal health can be significant. Research by Sandin et al. (2017) highlights how maternal infections and exposure to toxins can affect developmental outcomes.

Critiques of Theory of Mind in Autism

The Theory of Mind (ToM) challenges come from Gernsbacher & Yergeau (2019), arguing that not all autistic individuals lack ToM, questioning the specificity and replicability of ToM studies.

Baron-Cohen's Sally-Anne Task

A widely used test for Theory of Mind measuring the ability to understand false beliefs. Findings by Baron-Cohen et al. (1985) show autistic individuals perform worse compared to neurotypical peers.

Challenges in Early Diagnosis of Autism

Early diagnosis can lead to better support and outcomes. However, stigma and lack of awareness can hinder timely identification, as highlighted by research from Ozonoff et al. (2010).

Islets of Ability in Autism

The concept refers to exceptional abilities in specific areas, despite challenges in others. Research by Mottron et al. (2006) discusses how focusing on strengths can change perceptions of autism.

Double Empathy Problem

Proposed by Milton (2012), it describes the mutual misunderstanding between autistic and non-autistic individuals caused by different social communication styles.

Weak Central Coherence Theory

This theory suggests that autistic individuals may focus more on details rather than overall context. Research by Happé (1999) discusses implications for cognitive processing differences.

Impact of Early Diagnosis on Outcomes

Research by Zwaigenbaum et al. (2015) indicates that early diagnosis and intervention are critical for improving social skills and adaptive functioning in autistic children.