Pervasive developmental disorder

arrested, delayed or misdirected early in embryonic life and the effect is permanent. 1 For centuries, skeletal deformities have fascinated many civilizations. For example, the Egyptian God path was depicted as a short limbed dwarf and metabolic bone disorders were recognised in early Christian times 2. Polydactyly is evident in a hand print described from the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum. 3 Major structural anomalies occur in 2-3% of live born infants, and 2-3% are recognised in children by age of 5…

Genes and biological processes are both involved in the development and the core features of autism. Research shows that genes play a significant role in autism. Researchers have discovered that several genes work together in the development autism. Some of the key genes have been identified for certain types of autism; however, more research is needed to determine the exact genes that trigger each type of autism. Our brains go through a process called synaptic pruning. This process eliminates…

In the article, “Cultivating Mind: Mindfulness Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Problem Behaviors, and their mothers”, the authors discuss children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder with behavior problems and mothers that do not know the proper methods to teach or cope with this disorder. Parents often struggle to understand and communicate with their child with autism, which often leads to overwhelming stress and family anxiety. I will briefly discuss my reasoning…

terms, developmental dyspraxia cannot be classified by a single symptom or even a single scientific focus on any one developmental disorder. While its roots are in the process of child development (or in some cases, dyspraxia is more commonly known as an eclectic range of disorders of the developmental nature. It is more commonly known as the partial or even full lose of the ability to control the limbs, co-ordinate movements and even normal human gestures. Dyspraxia is a unique disorder because…

environment. The goal is to also determine, of the parents who do use ABA techniques at home, what is the subsequent impact on child outcomes over time. The study uses a mixed methods approach to address these issues. Keywords: autism spectrum disorders, behavior, early intervention, parent training, applied behavior analysis 3 PARENTS’ CONSISTENT USE OF…

My fascination with Autism Spectrum Disorder stemmed mainly from my family’s interest in it. My mother and both of her parents worked in educational psychology and regaled me with stories and challenges of their careers all my life. Once I was old enough to borrow books from my mom, I was drawn to her extensive collection of books on educational psychology and ASD, specifically. As I grew up I realized that a career working with individuals with ASD was what I wanted with my future. Once my…

In a study completed by Renee L. Watling and Jean Dietz (2007), the authors examined the effects of Ayres’ sensory integration-based occupational therapy interventions on children who have been diagnosed with ASD. This study used a single subject, ABAB design to compare the immediate effects of the interventions on the undesired behaviors that are present during task engagement, which in this case were tabletop activities. The tabletop activity was chosen, as it is congruent with educational…

explain it if your child falls on the spectrum, one must know what Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder is? According to American Psychiatric Association, “Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex disorder of brain development characterized by social communication impairments and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior” Or in simple words, Autism spectrum disorder (ADS) is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a person’s life. It majorly…

Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders. It is diagnosed during infancy or childhood and it permanently affects the body movements and the muscle coordinations. Cerebral palsy is caused by many disorders inside the brain during the development that stops the brain’s ability to control motor movements. Cerebral palsy (CP) affects the motor function of the brain’s outer layer of cerebral cortex that directs muscle movement. And the cerebral motor cortex of the fetal is unable to…

Studies reviewed by Bons, Rommelse, Scheepers, and Buitelaar (2010) and conducted by McIntosh, Reichmann-Decker, Winkielman and Wilbarger (2006) examined motor empathy in autism. Focusing on rapid facial mimicry, both studies found that autistic children showed a delayed reaction to the expression of emotion, yet they still were able to produce congruent facial expressions. Bons et al. (2010) suggest a voluntary facial mimicry system may explain how individuals with autism are able to mimic.…