ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that can make it hard for a person to sit still, control behavior and pay attention. These difficulties usually begin before the person is 7 years old. However, these behaviors may be noticed earlier or may not be noticed until the child is older. 
 
Doctors do not know just what causes ADHD. However, researchers who study the brain are coming closer to understanding what may cause ADHD. They believe that some people with ADHD do not have enough of certain chemicals (called neurotransmitters) in their brain. These chemicals help the brain control behavior 

As many as 5 out of every 100 children in school may have ADHD. Boys are three times more likely than girls to have ADHD. 
 
There are three main signs, or symptoms, of ADHD. These are:

• problems with paying attention,
• being very active (called hyperactivity), and
• acting before thinking (called impulsivity).

Based on these symptoms, three types of ADHD have been found:

• inattentive type, where the person can’t seem to get focused or stay focused on a task or activity;
• hyperactive-impulsive type, where the person is very active and often acts without thinking; and
• combined type, where the person is inattentive, impulsive, and too active.

When a child shows signs of ADHD, he or she needs to be evaluated by a trained professional. A complete evaluation is the only way to know for sure if the child has ADHD. 
 
Examples, Subsets and Synonyms for Attention Deficit Disorders (minimal brain dysfunction, hyperkinetic syndrome)

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Inattentive Type
• Hyperactive Type
• Mixed Type

Ataxia

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is a rare, progressive, neurodegenerative childhood disease that affects the nervous system and other body systems. The first sign of the disease is usually the lack of balance and coordination, presenting during the first two or three years of life. The hallmarks of AT are ataxia (lack of muscle control) and other movement disorders, and telangiectasias (tiny, red "spider" veins), which appear in the corners of the eyes or on the surface of the ears and cheeks after the onset of ataxia. Persons with AT are often initially misdiagnosed as having cerebral palsy. Individuals with AT are predisposed to leukemia and lymphoma and are extremely sensitive to radiation exposure. Many individuals with AT have a weakened immune system. This, in association with swallowing problems, makes them susceptible to recurrent respiratory infections. Other features of the disease may include mild diabetes mellitus, premature aging and graying of the hair, and slowed growth.  
There is no cure for AT and, currently, no way to slow the progression of the disease. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Gamma-globulin injections may be given to help supplement the weakened immune systems. Rehabilitation therapies are useful in optimizing the person’s functional abilities and independence, providing guidelines for physical activity and therapeutic programs, teaching appropriate compensations and providing adaptive equipment.

Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) (also referred to as PDDs) are brain-based developmental disabilities that affect a child’s ability to communicate, understand language, play and relate to others. The ASD's include autism, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome. Each of these disorders has specific diagnostic criteria as outlined by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in its Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). 
 
The ASDs affect an estimated 1 in 150 births (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005). This means that as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have an autism spectrum disorder. Autism is typically diagnosed by three years of age; however, researchers at CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disorders) are currently working to detect the signs and symptoms of autism at the earliest age possible. By detecting autism at a young age, children can gain earlier access to intervention services. 
 
A diagnosis of autism is made when an individual displays at least 6 of 12 symptoms distributed across three major areas: social interaction, communication, and repetitive/stereotyped patterns of behavior and interest. 
 
Specifically, an individual with autism may have difficulty with social behaviors such as eye contact, the use of spoken words, may use gestures to enhance verbal communication, may use repetitve and steroetypical behaviors such as flapping the hands or persistently repeating words or phrases. 
Individuals with Aspergers syndrome display a slightly different behavior pattern than that of individuals with autism. These individuals have difficulties with social interaction, understanding social conventions, social use of language (e.g., they may be overly talkative, be overly focused on topics of their special interest, fail to give important background information because they have problems judging their listener’s informational needs, and so on), and may exhibit the repetitive behaviors, unusual and intense interests, and be resistant to change. They acquire their language milestones on time, and have normal to superior cognitive abilities. 
 
Children who do not meet the full criteria for autism or Asperger syndrome may receive a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).

 
Children with autism, PDD-NOS and Asperger syndrome vary widely in abilities, intellectual functioning, and behaviors/interests. Therefore, it is important to focus on the individual child's behavioral and learning profile when making intervention decisions and recommendations. 
 
Examples, Subsets and Synonyms for Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) (autistic spectrum disorders)

• Autism
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder
• Asperger Syndrome

Movement Disorders

Movement disorders describe a group of neurological conditions characterized by abnormalities in the quality and quantity of spontaneous movements. While the clinical presentation ranges from an almost inability to move to severe constant and excessive movement, they are usually divided into groups primarily with excessive movement (hyperkinetic movement disorders) and those with diminished movements (bradykinetic movement disorders). These disorders affect the speed, quality and ease of movement, and do not lead to weakness or paralysis.  
 
Commonly recognized adult movement disorders include Parkinson’s disease and Huntington disease. In children specific diseases are less commonly identified and the disorders are often described by the type of movement observed, such as dystonia, choreoathetosis and hemiballismus. Most adult and pediatric movement disorders are felt to result from abnormalities in the basal ganglia, which are groups of neurons deep in the brain linked in circuits and responsible for the planning and execution of movement. 
 
 
Examples, Subsets and Synonyms for Movement Disorders

• Ataxia
• Cerebral Palsy
• Choreoathetosis
• Dystonia
• Hypotonia
• Kernicterus
• Spasticity
• Tourette Syndrome