11/30/2018 0 Comments More than "Just being Shy"For our last post (for now), I wanted to talk about a disorder that is unlike other ones that we have covered. This disorder is known as Selective Mutism, unlike in the past the child is able to speak and comprehend but remains silent in certain situations. What is selective mutism?Selective Mutism is a childhood anxiety disorder that is seen when a child has difficulty communicating in unfamiliar settings. Basically, children with this disorder have a phobia of speaking outside of their household. The degree of mutism depends on the child. For example, some children may be able to engage in communication at home and at a family friend's house but will not speak at school. With Selective Mutism, the verbal component of expression is not only affected but so is the nonverbal component. This results in isolation of the child in social settings. signsSome signs of Selective Mutism include:
What causes it?The cause of Selective Mutism is typically associated with family history. Since this disorder occurs at a young age, individuals that develop it normally have a parent or family member that suffers or suffered from anxiety. This makes a child more vulnerable to inheriting anxious tendencies. the brain & Selective mutismUnlike disorders addressed previously, Selective Mutism occurs due to a neurotransmitter deficiency. Since, Selective Mutism is anxiety driven it is correlated to the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Those with Selctive Mutism have a serotonin deficiency that impacts the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Serotonin is a key component to managing one's mood and balancing stress. The lack or depletion of it is often linked to depression and anxiety. More on Selective Mutism...takeaway 🎈Selective Mustism is a childhood anxiety disorder, where an individual is too self-conscious to engage in communication. This lack of socialization can result in isolation and an even greater fear to interact both verbally and non-verbally. Selective Mutism is seen in children whose parents have an anxiety related condition. It is also neurologically caused by a deficiency of the neurotransmitter serotonin. links
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11/23/2018 0 Comments Dysarthriawhat is dysarthria?Dysarthria is the weakness of the facial muscles including the lips, tongue, and throat. Weakness can also occur in the respiratory system, which can impact the production of speech. This condition is considered to be a motor speech disorder and can be accompanied with other speech and language disorders. signsAn individual with dysarthria may exhibit the following symptoms:
What causes it?Dysarthria arises due to brain damage, which can be acquired or congenital; acquired means developed later on in life, while congenital means to be born with the it. Some specific causes include:
The brain & dysarthriaDysarthria occurs as a result of damage within the brain. However, certain areas of the brain control muscles that assist in forming spoken language. These parts of the brain that are responsible for muscle movement and are typically impaired in those with dysarthria include:
takeaway 🎈Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder that results because of weak muscles, primarily in the face, that affect oral production. Some signs of an individual with dysarthria include slow or fast speech, slurred speech, robotic speech, breathy speech, etc. Brain damage such as stroke, tumors, and other brain injuries can cause dysarthria in an individual. Since dysarthria affects muscle movements in the face, areas in the brain including the cerebellum, basal ganglia, brainstem, nerve fibers, and neuromuscular juntion are often damaged in those diagnosed with the condition. Links11/16/2018 0 Comments Developmental Language Disorderwhat is dld?DLD stands for Developmental Language Disorder, however it used to be referred to as SLI, Specific Language Impairment. Someone diagnosed with DLD means that they have prominent and consistent difficulties in expressive and/or receptive language. This disorder is often accompanied by other disorders such as ADHD and dyslexia. signsSome symptoms of those with DLD include:
What causes it?There is no known cause of DLD. This makes it a difficult disorder to understand. what family members can doThere are a lot of misconceptions about DLD, as well as uncovered information. However, parents and those in contact with individuals struggling with DLD can support the diagnosed individual by implementing a few of these ideas.
More information on dld...Since DLD is typically hard to understand, I have provided a video that may add additional insight on this condition. takeaway 🎈DLD is categorized by difficulty with expressive and/or receptive language. Other disorders normally come with DLD. Signs of DLD include lack of expression, underdeveloped language, word finding difficulties, struggles during recall, along with other factors. Overall, DLD depends on the person, but caregivers of those with DLD can demonstrate patience and other nonverbal tools to improve the quality of life in one with DLD. links11/11/2018 0 Comments pay attentionWhat is adhd?ADHD is the abbreviated form of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Those with this mental disorder, experience a lack of attention and higher rates of impulsive actions. According to information released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2013, about 11% of individuals between the ages of 4 to 17 have had ADHD. However, males are about three times more likely to acquire ADHD than females. signsWhen ADHD is diagnosed it is categorized as one of three types: inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or combination. Inattentive Types:
Can include both signs from inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive types. An individual may demonstrate more symptoms from one type than the other. What Causes it?The cause of ADHD has yet to be pinpointed. However, some studies show that genetics, premature birth, brain injury, and mother’s consumption and use of tobacco while pregnant can contribute to a higher probability of developing ADHD. However, contrary to popular belief, ADHD is NOT caused by the extreme consumption sugar or excessive watching of television. The brain & AdhdSome studies support the idea that neurotransmitters and nerve pathways in the brain of those with ADHD do not behave the same way as neural networks in undiagnosed individuals. Additionally, certain areas of the brain have been shown to have lower activity than a typical developed brain due to the differences in neurotransmitter functions. The areas of a brain that this affects in an person with ADHD include:
take away 🎈ADHD is three times more common in the males than females. The cause is said to be linked to genetics, issues during fetal development or labor, and brain injury. ADHD can be identified as inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or combination. ADHD is a mental disorder and is thought to be a result of atypical functions of neurotransmitters, which impacts the frontal cortex, limbic system, basal ganglia, and reticular activating system. links11/2/2018 0 Comments down syndromeAt my school, we actually have a program called Best Buddies, which is an organization that works to better the lives of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I have gotten the chance to see many individuals involved in the program. A lot of the Best Buddies community show signs of diagnosis of Down syndrome, prompting this week's disorder. What is down syndrome?Down syndrome is the most common genetic chromosomal disorder, and it is caused by a chromosome mutation. This happens when atypical cell division occurs on chromosome 21. This disorder ranges in severity and is linked to both intellectual and developmental deficits. signsSome common symptoms include:
What causes it?The average human cell is made up of 23 chromosomes, half come from one’s mother and the other half come from the father. Down syndrome occurs when there is a mutation during cell division, specifically involving chromosome 21, which results in an extra full or partial chromosome 21. Different variations of this can occur including:
the brain & Down SyndromeThose with Down syndrome usually develop at a slower rate physically and also struggle intellectually. Research found that chromosome 21 interferes with learning and memory areas of the brain in those with Down syndrome. This was specifically seen in the hippocampus of the brain, which is a key area for memory storage and learning. Learning language and basic tasks strongly relies on recalling them. If the main area that stores memories in the brain is compromised, then learning for an individual can be very difficult and frustrating. take away 🎈Down syndrome is the most common genetic chromosome related disorder and is caused when chromosome 21 does not form typically. Some signs of Down syndrome generally involve a slower development of physical features as well as slower learning. Although Down syndrome is a disorder due to chromosome mutation, an atypical formation linked to chromosome 21 is shown to inhibit the hippocampus. This can cause individuals with Down syndrome to struggle with memory as well as learning. links |