Introduction to Childhood Disorders
What you’ll learn to do: explain common childhood disorders, including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder
Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of disorders that are typically diagnosed during childhood and are characterized by developmental deficits in personal, social, academic, and intellectual realms; these disorders include attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder. ADHD is characterized by a pervasive pattern of inattention and/or hyperactive and impulsive behavior that interferes with normal functioning. Genetic and neurobiological factors contribute to the development of ADHD, which can persist well into adulthood and is often associated with poor long-term outcomes. The major features of autism spectrum disorder include deficits in social interaction and communication and repetitive movements or interests. As with ADHD, genetic factors appear to play a prominent role in the development of autism spectrum disorder; exposure to environmental pollutants such as mercury have also been linked to the development of this disorder. Although it is believed by some that autism is triggered by the MMR vaccination, evidence does not support this claim.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the symptoms, prevalence, and contributing factors of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Describe the symptoms and prevalence of autism spectrum disorder, as well as the contributing factors that cause the disorder
Licenses and Attributions (Click to expand)
CC licensed content, Shared previously
- Disorders in Childhood. Authored by: OpenStax College. Located at: https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/15-10-disorders-in-childhood. License: CC BY: Attribution. License Terms: Download for free at https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction
- Modification, adaptation, and original content. Provided by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution
- Autistic boy image. Authored by: hepingting. Provided by: Wikimedia. Located at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Autism_boy_help.jpg. License: CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike