Developmental differences

• What are developmental differences?

  They are divergences from typical development identified in childhood.
• What are some causes of developmental differences?

  They may have a known genetic basis or be influenced by environmental factors.
• What is one way to describe the profile of developmental differences?

  It can include atypical cognitive, social, behavioral, language, or motor development.
• What are the two models of disability discussed?

  The medical model and the social model of disability.
• When are developmental differences typically identified?

  In childhood.
• How long do developmental differences typically last?

  They are often lifelong, although some may lessen in adulthood.
• What is the prevalence of developmental differences in children?

  As many as 1 in 10 children may have a developmental difference.
• What is one known cause of developmental differences?

  Some have a known genetic basis.

  
• What is an example of a developmental difference with a known genetic basis?

  Down's syndrome.

  
• What does it mean if a developmental difference has a putative genetic basis?

  It means researchers assume there’s a genetic basis due to circumstantial evidence.
• What is the significance of twin studies in understanding developmental differences?

  They help determine if the occurrence of a disorder is higher in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins.
• What is the current understanding of the genetic basis of developmental differences?

  We assume there’s a genetic basis, but we don’t exactly understand what that basis is.
• What are some environmental factors that can influence developmental differences?

  Access to therapy, features of the home environment, and nutrition.
• What is a pure environmental cause of a developmental difference?

  Cerebral Palsy, usually caused by a shortage of oxygen to the brain during labor or shortly after birth.
• Who typically initiates the diagnosis process for developmental differences?

  Parents usually take their children to the GP when they have concerns.
• Who conducts the assessments for developmental differences?

  Assessments are done by pediatricians and clinical psychologists.
• What is one method used in assessments for developmental differences?

  Standardized assessments to assess IQ.
• What does the clinical psychologist do after collecting the child's information?

  They look at the diagnostic criteria to classify the child.
• What are some profiles of developmental differences?

  Autism, ADHD, and dyslexia.
• Who first described autism?

  Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger.
• What are some characteristics of autism?

  Differences in social interaction, communication, and restricted interests & repetitive behaviors.

  
• What is the prevalence of autism in children in the US?

  1 in 44 children.
• How does autism present in individuals?

  It can be present in people with high IQ and in people with low IQ.
• What percentage of autistic people are non-verbal?

  Approximately 40%.
• What is a putative genetic cause of autism?

  It is not caused by vaccines or bad parenting.
• What is the theory of mind hypothesis regarding autism?

  It suggests that children with autism lack the ability to understand other minds.
• What does the theory of weak central coherence explain in autism?

  It accounts for non-social differences and perceptual strengths seen in autism.
• When was ADHD first recognized?

  In the early 1900s as "Hyperkinetic disorder."
• What are the main differences marked by ADHD?

  Attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
• What is the prevalence of ADHD?

  It occurs in 8 in 100 children.
• What does a high heritability estimate of 75% for ADHD indicate?

  It indicates a strong genetic basis for ADHD.
• What does Barkley's theory suggest about ADHD?

  It suggests primary differences in executive functioning.
• What is the prevalence of language disorders?

  About 7 in 100 children.
• Which areas of the brain are implicated in language disorders?

  Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area.

  
• What characterizes developmental dyslexia?

  Difficulty in reading and spelling that isn’t explained by generally poor ability.
• What are some common struggles faced by individuals with dyslexia?

  Struggling to identify syllables, rhyming words, and discriminating sounds of different letters.
• How does the transparency of a language affect dyslexia?

  Dyslexia is much more common in non-transparent languages like English than in transparent languages like Italian and Japanese.
• What does the social model of disability emphasize?

  It emphasizes that disability is disabling due to the barriers created by society.
• What is the focus of the medical model of disability?

  It focuses on the individual as the problem and seeks to cure the disability.
• What does the social model of disability propose about the barriers faced by individuals?

  It proposes that the barriers are created by society, not the individual.