Neurodevelopmental Disorders Quiz

Course Information

• Course title: Psychology, Developmental Disabilities
• Course code: PSYC-3230-01
• Semester: Winter 2025
• Lecture date: January 8, 2025
• Lecture number: 2
• Instructor: Dr. Philip W. R. Ricciardi, C. Psych.
• Instructor's title: Adjunct Associate Professor
• University: University of Windsor

Acknowledgement

• The land and water are acknowledged to have been originally occupied by Indigenous Peoples for many years
• Agreements and treaties established between indigenous and allied nations
• Acknowledgement of the Three Fires Confederacy and Huron/Wendat peoples
• Respect for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples

Announcements

• Each lecture set includes an announcement slide, typically the third slide
• The announcement slide provides course information such as exam content and reading material upload dates
• Students should refer to the announcement slide before emailing inquiries

Understanding Disabilities: A Systems Approach

• A model of context is used to understand disabilities
• The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a health and health-related domains approach
• ICF considers environmental factors influencing disability as it's context dependent.

Classifications and Frameworks

• The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) is mentioned
• The structure of that classification is outlined
• It includes 06 mental, behavioral and neurodevelopmental disorders
• There is a specific category for disorders of intellectual development within this framework (6A00)

Description of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders are described as syndromes of significant disturbance in a person's cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior; reflecting dysfunction
• These disturbances may manifest as distress or impairment in various functional areas (personal, family, social, educational, occupational)

Developmental Disabilities and Intellectual Disability

• Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions, due to impairments in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas
• They typically begin during development, lasting throughout life.
• Causes include genetics, parental health, pregnancy factors, birth complications, exposure to toxins, and more
• Intellectual disability is a category within developmental disabilities
• Comorbidity/Dual diagnosis refers to intellectual disability conditions plus a psychiatric disorder
• Intellectual disability, as defined by DSM-5, ASD, FASD, Cerebral palsy and LD are included in developmental disabilities

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Cognitive-related problems due to genetic cause that begin in early childhood.
• A group of conditions with onset often in early childhood.
• These disorders are medically understood as impairments of the brain and central nervous systems
• These are defined psychologically as conditions of abnormal brain function typically impacting a child's emotional, social, and cognitive skills.
• Causes include genetic influences, immune system disorders, infectious/bacterial diseases, nourishment deficiencies, exposure to toxins, adverse medications, and emotional deprivation.

Types of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

• Disorders such as intellectual disabilities, communication/language disorders, specific learning disorders (reading, written language, math), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) & related executives functions deficits, nonverbal learning disability, and motor disorders are included

Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) 1991

• The RHPA framework improves public protection
• Health professions regulation and governing structure based on this Act is detailed
• A Regulatory Advisory Council is part of this framework.

American Association on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) Definition

• Intellectual disability involves significant limitations in intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviors (conceptual, social, practical), originating before age 18
• Assumptions about present functioning, community environments, age, peers and culture influence assessment processes.
• Cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as differences in communication, sensory, motor and behavioral factors, are considered in a valid assessment. Limitations often coexist with strengths and individualized support needs should be considered

International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF)

• A WHO-developed model of health that encompasses all health aspects
• It is intended as a universal classification of health domains for all people, with a focus on health in terms of health-related domains
• It offers a complementary approach to the WHO's ICD classification system
• It has a biopsychosocial approach to functioning, disability, and health

Developmental Disabilities in Ontario

• Socio-political trends impacting developmental disabilities in Ontario (community living, inclusion, increasing knowledge of the field)
• Provincially, government roles have changed concerning developmental disabilities
• The 2008 Act, along with the 2011 Act, created new approaches, regarding accessibility and supports

Definitions

• The Ontario Education Act allows for exceptional student designations (behaviour, communication, intellectual, physical, multiple disabilities)
• Developmental disability is defined as having significant limitations in cognitive and adaptive functioning-beginning before age 18, being lifelong and affecting major life skills

Legislation

• New, modern language in disability legislation
• Flexible and broad support services are provided
• The new application and assessment process will be fair, consistent and standardized

Changes to Provincial Laws

• The broadening of developmental disabilities classification, including diagnoses such as mild autism spectrum disorder or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
• Community agency approaches and direct funding for support services are now emphasized.

ICF and Clinical Thinking

• The ICF model is an entry point for understanding how people's environment impacts functioning and participation
• It's a biopsychosocial approach to functioning, disability, and health, considering the interaction of body function, activity, and participation
• The environment, including family, is a critical component
• The ICF details ways for recording, documentation, and clinical practice.

Activities and Participation Domains

• Includes areas of communication, mobility, self-care, domestic life, relationships, major life areas, community involvement.