Deck 14: Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Question 1

An individual diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder will always present with

A) hyperactive behavior that alternates with periods of distraction.
B) patterns of inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity.
C) both patterns of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
D) periods of distraction that lead to hyperactive/impulsive behavior.

Answer 1

patterns of inattention or hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Question 2

ADHD tends to occur in families where another family member has ADHD and with increased rates of all but which of the following?

A) Conduct disorders
B) Mood disorders
C) Substance abuse
D) Eating disorders

Answer 2

Eating disorders

Question 3

Which of the following often overlaps with ADHD?

A) Oppositional defiant disorder
B) Bipolar disorder
C) Conduct disorder
D) All of the above

Answer 3

All of the above

Question 4

The main reason that it is so important to identify children with developmental disorders as early as possible is that

A) medications are most effective when administered at an early stage of the disorder.
B) skill deficits can be identified and addressed before they impact later development.
C) family functioning often declines as the developmental disorder progresses.
D) children are more receptive to therapy when they are young.

Question 5

The inattentive subtype of ADHA typically refers to (the):

A) absence of hyperactivity.
B) multiple acts of impulsivity.
C) inaccuracy in diagnosis.
D) all of the above.

Question 6

The most accurate statement with regard to the genetic influences of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is

A) there are no known genetic influences.
B) there appears to be a single gene influence.
C) there appear to be multiple genetic influences.
D) defects on the Y chromosome are the major influence.

Question 7

One of the most common reasons that children are referred for mental health services in the United States is ______________.

A) ADHD
B) autism
C) pervasive developmental disorder
D) stuttering

Question 8

ADHA is found in about of the child populations across all regions of the world.

A) 1 to 2%
B) 3 to 9%
C) 8 to 10%
D) 10 to 13%

Question 9

The inattention category of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms is characterized by _______________.

A) careless mistakes
B) fidgeting
C) not waiting one's turn to answer questions
D) accelerated motor skills

Question 10

People with ADHD that meet the criteria for inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity are labeled as the _____ subtype.

A) mixed
B) multiple
C) combined
D) most severe

Question 11

Psychological disorders are considered developmental disorders when there is a

A) change in symptoms over the lifespan.
B) genetic component to the disorder.
C) neurological basis for the condition.
D) general decline in functioning over time.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT characteristic of ADHD?

A) Inattention
B) Learning disabilities
C) Self-control
D) Fidgeting

Question 13

Recent research has shown that ADHD

A) is considered to be highly influenced by genetics with a relatively small role played by environmental influences.
B) is caused by multiple genes.
C) appears be related to the neurotransmitter dopamine.
D) all of the above.

Question 14

Because the diagnosis of ADHD is comparable across countries,

A) ADHD is considered a normal high activity level of children.
B) it is now found to be equally prevalent among boys and girls.
C) this suggests that ADHD should not be thought to be the result of intolerant parents.
D) this suggests that ADHD has significantly increased and spread worldwide.

Question 15

Based on a telephone survey of parents in the United States, researchers found that between 4 and 17 years of age were diagnosed with ADHD between 2011 and 2012.

A) 2.5 %
B) 6%
C) 9 %
D) 11%

Question 16

What are the three types of symptoms for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder?

A) Hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention
B) Inattention, distraction, hyperactivity
C) Inattention, impulsivity, distraction
D) Hypervigilance, increased startle, and distraction

Question 17

Although not classified as "developmental disorders", most psychological disorders can be considered developmental in nature because they

A) appear early in life and change over the lifespan.
B) have a genetic component.
C) lack biological causes and are influenced by learning.
D) are unique to children.

Question 18

The major reason that developmental disorders are considered to be so serious in terms of their capacity to disrupt later functioning is

A) the fact that medications used in children can have long-term effects.
B) the impact that they have on family functioning.
C) that the purely biological nature of developmental disorders leads to subsequent developmental failures.
D) subsequent skills often build upon one another.

Question 19

In order to diagnose an individual with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, it is necessary for symptoms to be present in

A) both symptom clusters.
B) the hyperactivity cluster.
C) the area of impulsivity.
D) either of the symptom categories.

Question 20

The hypothesis that attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be influenced by toxins, food additives, or diet

A) is based on well-controlled studies.
B) is not well understood or studied, but generally effective as a treatment.
C) appears true for a small subset of individuals diagnosed with ADHD.
D) has little to no scientific evidence.

Question 21

A specific learning disorder is defined as

A) academic performance that is substantially below the level predicted by the individual's age, IQ, and education.
B) a complete inability to learn in a given academic subject.
C) substandard IQ score in comparison to the individual's family and educational background.
D) the existence of a neurological deficit that interferes with the individual's ability to assimilate new information.

Question 22

Recent research has found the following with regard to causes of ADHD:

A) Food colors and additives, which for years were thought to cause ADHD, then later refuted, now appear to have a small but measurable impact on increased levels of hyperactivity.
B) Pesticides found in foods may be a contributing factor to an increased risk of ADHD.
C) Both a and b
D) Neither a or b

Question 23

Why would it be incorrect to say that individuals diagnosed with specific learning disorders are not intelligent?

A) It would confuse specific learning disorders with giftedness.
B) The concept of specific learning disorder has absolutely nothing to do with intelligence.
C) Specific learning disorders can be diagnosed in people of any intelligence, since they are partially determined by academic performance that falls substantially below IQ-based expectations.
D) Specific learning disorders are only diagnosed in people of high intelligence.

Question 24

Which of the following is not one of the medications that has been found to reduce the core symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, as well as improving concentration, in those with ADHD?

A) Ritalin
B) Adderall
C) Strattera
D) Haldol

Question 25

Which of the following environmental influences has been found to contribute to the development of ADHD?

A) Exercise while pregnant
B) High socio-economic status
C) Parental marital instability and discord
D) Not eating green vegetables during pregnancy

Question 26

Stimulant medications seem to treat ADHD because they

A) reinforce the brain's ability to focus attention.
B) decrease emotional response.
C) distribute attention.
D) increase dream sleep.

Question 27

All of the following side effects EXCEPT treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

A) insomnia
B) drowsiness
C) irritability
D) weight gain

Question 28

Recent research has shown that

A) ADHD is found equally among boys and girls.
B) ADHD is caused by a single gene called DAT 1.
C) the brains of children with ADHD are 3% to 4% smaller than children without ADHD.
D) the same medications used to treat depressive symptoms are the most effective at reducing symptoms of ADHD.

Question 29

Recent ADHD research has focused on endophenotypic correlates of

A) specific attentional characteristics.
B) emotional control.
C) extraverted characteristics.
D) environmental factors.

Question 30

Non-medication treatments for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder usually involve

A) interpersonal therapy.
B) behavioral programs and social skills training.
C) brief, inpatient treatment at a specialty hospital.
D) cognitive behavioral therapy and diet control.

Question 31

Seven-year-old Jess has been diagnosed with ADHD. Which of the following is NOT a reason for Jess's parents to put her on medication?

A) Medication can cure ADHD.
B) Stimulants help the brain develop in more typical ways.
C) Medication manages the symptoms of ADHD and helps children focus while learning.
D) ADHD medication is one important aspect of treatment for ASD.

Question 32

The drug Strattera (atomoxetine) appears effective for some children with ADHD, and according to recent research, does not cause the same as stimulant medication when used in larger doses.

A) intolerance
B) withdrawal symptoms
C) "high"
D) academic disturbance

Question 33

Ron is a 9-year-old boy recently diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. His parents have chosen a combined approach to treatment. If their approach is based on what research suggests is most effective, it will most likely involve

A) new experimental medications and behavior therapy.
B) no medication but a combination of behavioral therapy and parent training.
C) medication such as Ritalin and behavior therapy.
D) medication such as Ritalin and psychoanalysis.

Question 34

Which best describes the way attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) develops as children grow into adulthood?

A) Children tend to outgrow ADHD.
B) ADHD tends to evolve into more severe forms of pathology.
C) Symptoms remain relatively stable throughout the lifespan for most individuals.
D) Manifestations of ADHD tend to change over time but many problems often persist.

Question 35

Current estimates (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013) are that approximately children in the United States are being treated with stimulant medications.

A) 1 million
B) 4 million
C) 10 million
D) 14.5 million

Question 36

Ritalin and Adderall, medications generally used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, are classified as ____________.

A) minor sedatives
B) depressants
C) stimulants
D) antidepressants

Question 37

Clorinda is very concerned about giving her son Mario medication to treat his hyperactivity. She read that the use of prescription medications to treat ADHD places children at increased risk for later substance abuse. If she were to treat her son with medication, which would be the best one to give him that would address these concerns?

A) Ritalin
B) Cylert
C) Adderall
D) Strattera

Question 38

One common misunderstanding about ADHD medication is that:

A) they cannot be taken with food.
B) they impact a woman's ability to get pregnant later.
C) they are regularly misused to improve focus in people without ADHD.
D) all of the answers are correct.

Question 39

Neurotransmitters implicated in the cause of ADHD include all of the following EXCEPT .

A) dopamine
B) glutamate
C) norepinephrine
D) GABA

Question 40

The study of how your genetic makeup influences your response to certain drugs is called .

A) behavior genetics
B) psychopharmocology
C) psychopharmocogenetics
D) psychogenetics

Question 41

One intriguing finding from research involving reading disordered individuals who speak multiple languages is that

A) reading disorders are independent of culture/language.
B) individuals who speak more than one language rarely have specific learning disorders.
C) evidence of the reading disorder may exist for one or two languages, while the individual may be completely free of the disorder in another language.
D) the complexity of the English language may contribute to the higher rate of reading disorders in English- speaking countries.

Question 42

All of the following are problems observed to result from specific learning disorders EXCEPT .

A) low employment
B) school drop-out
C) drug abuse
D) suicidal thoughts and attempts

Question 43

Given the available intervention strategies for specific learning disorders, the method that probably has the best chance of overcoming the specific learning disorder is

A) development of better study skills.
B) efforts to develop compensating cognitive skills.
C) systematic instruction and teaching for mastery.
D) improving overall intelligence.

Question 44

One of the most characteristic patterns for children with autistic disorder is that they are generally

A) uninterested in people.
B) very intelligent.
C) extremely talkative.
D) hyperactive.

Question 45

The fact that reading disorders occur most often in English-speaking countries may be due to

A) the relative difficulty of English.
B) differences in left-brain dominance across cultures.
C) differences in right-brain dominance across cultures.
D) different educational practices across cultures.

Question 46

Studies with identical twins have indicated that reading disorders

A) run in families.
B) have no genetic component.
C) are influenced more by learning than genetics.
D) have a smaller genetic component than mathematics disorders.

Question 47

Treatment for specific learning disorders generally involves

A) stimulant medication.
B) educational intervention and assistance.
C) family therapy.
D) cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Question 48

Which area of learning is affected by a specific learning disorder in approximately 4% to 10% of the population?

A) Written expression
B) Oral communication
C) Mathematics
D) Reading

Question 49

Jean is a 14-year-old girl with autistic disorder who seems compelled to run around touching each door every time she comes home. If she is prevented from touching each door, Jean has a tantrum. This is an example of

A) restricted behavior pattern.
B) social impairment.
C) ritualistic behavior.
D) maintenance of sameness.

Question 50

An alternative to using the discrepancy between IQ and achievement in identifying children with specific learning disorders is

A) discrepancy prognosis.
B) learning intervention strategy.
C) response to intervention.
D) none of the above.

Question 51

Samantha is a sixth-grade girl who has great difficulty in school. She pays attention and works hard but appears to have trouble remembering facts and concepts that she has read about. Before we can determine whether Samantha has a learning disability, it is most important to know her .

A) family history
B) social skills
C) math skills
D) IQ

Question 52

All of the following were previously classified as pervasive developmental disorders EXCEPT

A) childhood disintegrative disorder.
B) Rett's disorder.
C) autistic disorder.
D) specific learning disorder.

Question 53

All of the following are typical behaviors for children with autistic disorder EXCEPT

A) spinning a wheel on a toy truck and staring at it for hours.
B) throwing a loud tantrum when prevented from carrying out a ritual.
C) becoming wildly upset when one toy was removed from the shelf.
D) performing complex math calculations that appear well beyond their abilities.

Question 54

The American Psychological Association (2013) estimates that between ______ and _____ percent of youth across ages and cultures have Specific Learning Disorders.

A) 1;5
B) 5;15
C) 10;20
D) 40;60

Question 55

Which of the following is associated with Specific Learning Disorders?

A) Dropping out of school
B) Unemployment
C) Suicidal ideation
D) All of the answers are correct

Question 56

Ken is a 12-year-old boy of average intelligence as indicated by his IQ scores. He loves school and works hard on his homework. Ken has earned straight As in every subject except math, where he has been achieving grades in the C range. Which of the following statements is correct?

A) Ken does not appear to have a specific learning disorder because his achievement is consistent with expectations based on his intelligence.
B) Ken appears to have a math disorder because his math grade is so far below his other grades.
C) Ken appears to have a math disorder because there is a discrepancy between his intelligence and his achievement in many subjects.
D) Ken does not appear to have a specific learning disorder because he has shown that he can achieve when he wants to.

Question 57

Alvin is a 10-year-old boy diagnosed with a mathematics disorder. His treatment plan will most likely involve

A) teaching him different strategies to improve cognitive skills.
B) stimulant medication.
C) developing an educational plan that exempts him from mathematics requirements.
D) placing him in a school for children with a specific learning disorder.

Question 58

The restricted pattern of behavior generally observed in autistic disorder involves

A) repetitive movements such as spinning in circles.
B) an intense preference for keeping things the same.
C) inappropriate communication patterns.
D) lack of recognition of significant others.

Question 59

Raphael's son has just been diagnosed with a Specific Learning Disorder. What can Raphael to do help and support his son?

A) Work to address/adjust cultural expectations when possible
B) Visit a specialist to ensure parental interactions and expectations are appropriate
C) Cooperate with the school to ensure that his son gets academic support
D) All of the answers are correct

Question 60

Robin is a 3-year-old girl who appears uninterested in people. She generally interacts with her mom only when she needs something. In some ways, Robin seems to be interested in her mother only as a tool to help her get what she wants. Robin would probably be diagnosed with

A) autistic disorder.
B) childhood disintegrative disorder
C) ADHD
D) a specific learning disorder.

Question 61

Research on the social skills of people with autistic disorder suggests that people with the condition

A) are interested in socialization but do not know how to socialize.
B) are not interested in socialization.
C) enjoy social relationships but cannot express this joy.
D) are none of these.

Question 62

The results of behavioral treatment targeting the socialization deficits of individuals with autistic disorder have shown

A) no improvement.
B) that those with autism can improve their socialization skills.
C) that those with autism can significantly improve their socialization skills.
D) that there is some improvement but it is not permanent.

Question 63

Jane is a 14-year-old autistic girl currently participating in a behavioral social skills training program for autistic adolescents. Jane's most likely outcome from this program is

A) relatively normal socialization for her age.
B) no progress at all.
C) improvement in her socialization skills.
D) significant improvement in her socialization skills.

Question 64

Most autistic individuals develop symptoms of the disorder .

A) at birth
B) before age one
C) before age three
D) before teen years

Question 65

Researchers, studying the brain of individuals with autistic disorder, suggest that one area of the brain that may be involved with the disorder is the .

A) brain stem
B) hypothalamus
C) amygdala
D) reticular formation

Question 66

Which of the following is NOT true about the exceptional abilities?

A) Exceptional skills are referred to as "savant" skills.
B) Exceptional skills are seen even in the most severe forms of ASD.
C) Exceptional skills are the result of a superior working memory.
D) Exceptional skills are the result of a highly focused attention.

Question 67

Parents who have a child with autism spectrum disorder have about a chance of having another child
With such a disorder. This rate is more than 100 times the risk in the general population, lending weight to the idea that there is a strong genetic component to these conditions.

A) 2%
B) 8%
C) 13%
D) 29%

Question 68

In terms of the level of support that will be necessary for an autistic child, which factor is used as a predictor to determine the prognosis?

A) Age of onset
B) Severity of initial symptoms
C) Rate of symptom progression
D) IQ

Question 69

Based on the research of Lovaas (1987), improvements in the intellectual and educational functioning of autistic children have been documented for intervention programs that

A) use a group therapy model.
B) provide multiple therapists.
C) meet for 40 hours or more per week.
D) are school based.

Question 70

Monte is a 3-year-old boy recently diagnosed with autistic disorder. He appears completely unresponsive to his parents and shows no indication of any language development. Monte seems uninterested in communication of any kind and has significant rituals such as lining up his toys and realigning them every few minutes. He becomes hysterical if anyone interrupts his ritualistic activity. On an IQ assessment designed for very young children, Monte's score was extremely low. His prognosis is poor primarily because of

A) lack of language acquisition and low IQ.
B) low IQ and early age of onset.
C) early age of onset and lack of language acquisition.
D) ritualistic behavior and disinterest in his parents.

Question 71

Research regarding the behavior of the parents of autistic children suggests that autistic disorder is

A) the result of cold and aloof parenting.
B) the result of a complex interaction of genetics and parenting style.
C) the result of overindulgent parenting style.
D) not the result of parenting behaviors.

Question 72

The ability to perform "computer-like" mathematical calculations and other incredible skills that are sometimes associated with autistic individuals (such as the character in the movie Rain Man) are

A) not typical of the disorder.
B) a defining symptom of the disorder.
C) fairly common but not present in every autistic individual.
D) a complete myth and not possible for any autistic individual.

Question 73

Some success has been noted in the development of communication skills in autistic children through the use of

A) modeling appropriate communication.
B) behavioral procedures involving shaping and discrimination training.
C) intensive therapy where the patient is placed in many social situations.
D) stimulant medications.

Question 74

Which treatment approach has been most clearly documented as benefitting children with autistic disorder by helping to decrease agitation?

A) Pharmacological treatment
B) Behavioral approaches
C) School education
D) Parent support

Question 75

James and Shanita's have one child diagnosed with ASD. James and Shanita want to have another child. What is the risk that the second child will also have ASD?

A) 1 %
B) 5%
C) 20%
D) 50%

Question 76

Modern treatment programs for autistic disorder generally involves

A) pharmacological treatments.
B) psychological supports for communication and socialization problems.
C) behavioral approaches.
D) all of these.

Question 77

An appropriate treatment goal for a child with autistic disorder is

A) resolution of all autistic symptoms by age 18.
B) immediate cessation of ritualistic behaviors.
C) development of normal social skills by age 18.
D) reduction in tantrums and enhancement of communication skills.

Question 78

Jim is a teen who has no friends. Although he is quite verbal, he speaks in a strange and formal style of speech. Jim is obsessed with airplanes and behaves in a very strange way. He is very self-focused and does not understand the concept of social reciprocity. The most likely form of autistic spectrum disorder affecting Jim is .

A) childhood disintegrative disorder
B) Asperger's disorder
C) Rett's disorder
D) autistic disorder

Question 79

Which of the following is currently being researched as a possible cause of autistic disorder?

A) The neuronal structure of the hippocampus
B) The levels of the neuropeptide oxytocin
C) The mercury used as a preservative in childhood vaccines
D) All of these

Question 80

The authors of the textbook report an interview with a patient named Robert Edwards. Robert's lucid description of his internal experiences reflects

A) his delusional behavior.
B) his limited cognitive abilities.
C) abnormal sensory experiences.
D) the highly logical and factual of his thinking.