Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurocognitive Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

• Characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction.
• Individuals with ASD may struggle with social-emotional reciprocity, interpreting non-verbal cues, and forming relationships.
• Restricted, repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities are also common, including stereotyped movements, insistence on sameness, and fixated interests.
• Prevalence rates range from 0.6% to 2% of children.
• ASD is four times more common in males.
• Strong genetic component, with twin concordance rates ranging from 37% to 90%.
• ASD is not caused by the MMR vaccine.

Neurocognitive Disorders

• A class of disorders characterized by cognitive impairment.
• Common causes include advanced age, illnesses (e.g., HIV-related dementia), injuries (e.g., traumatic brain injury), and genetics (e.g., Huntington's Disease).

Dementia

• An umbrella term encompassing a range of disorders that cause a steady decline in cognitive function.
• Affects memory, language, thought, and behavior.
• While some forms are treatable (e.g., those due to infection), most are irreversible (e.g., Alzheimer's Disease).

Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

• The most common type of dementia.
• Characterized by insidious onset and progressive cognitive decline.
• Alongside memory decline, individuals with AD may experience mood changes, language impairment, restlessness, motor difficulties, psychosis, and loss of social inhibition.
• Genetic factors play a significant role in increasing the risk of AD.
• Past traumatic brain injuries and certain conditions (e.g., Down Syndrome) also raise the risk of developing AD.

Psychotherapy

• A broad term encompassing diverse techniques aimed at enhancing psychological and emotional well-being.
• The effectiveness and scientific rigor of different treatments vary.
• Treatment outcomes may also be influenced by factors like specific groups or populations.

Stress Appraisal

• How we perceive and cope with stressors depends on our perception of control and our tolerance of uncertainty.
• Belief in control can reduce the effects of stress, while intolerance of uncertainty can exacerbate stress responses.

Coping Strategies

• Problem-focused coping: Addressing problems head-on.
• Emotion-focused coping: Managing painful emotions.
• Choice of coping strategy often reflects optimism and perceived control over the situation.

Cognitive Styles and Stress

• Disease-prone personalities: View stressors catastrophically, ruminate, and tend to rely on emotion-focused coping.
• Disease-resistant personalities: Perceive stressors as temporary challenges, exhibit optimism, and employ problem-focused coping.

Cultural Psychology

• Examines the influence of culture on individual psychological processes.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

• Compares and contrasts psychological phenomena across different societies or cultures.

Theoretical Issues in Cultural Psychology

• Absolutism: Assumes universal psychological phenomena.
• Relativism: Assumes culturally determined behavior.
• Universalism: Posits basic principles of behavior, but with cultural variations in their expression.

Identity of Transnational Adoptees

• Transnational adoptees navigate potential connection to two cultural backgrounds:
  • Heritage culture (ethnic identity)
  • Host-country culture (national identity)
• Bicultural identity integration, influenced by ethnic identity development, fosters psychological well-being.

Cultural Contact

• Culture shock – Acculturation
• Berry's typology proposes four acculturation strategies based on relationships with the dominant society and retention of cultural identity.

Culture and Identity

• Cultural contact can lead to positive outcomes like cultural competence but can also result in negative experiences like racism, ethnocentrism, discrimination, and prejudice.

Indigenous Psychology

• Focuses on the psychological experiences of indigenous peoples, recognizing their unique histories, cultures, and challenges.

Indigenous Psychology in Australia

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the original inhabitants of Australia, representing some of the oldest cultures in the world.
• They have faced ongoing challenges including dispossession, marginalization, racism, and the Stolen Generation.
• The history of colonization in Australia has had significant impacts on their well-being and continues to shape their experiences.

Working with Indigenous Peoples

• It is essential to develop cultural competence when working with Indigenous communities.
• This involves developing knowledge, understanding, values, skills, and attributes that enable effective collaboration and respect for Indigenous perspectives.