11(a). Childhood Disorders ( Part 1/2)

 
ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder):
1 in 110 babies born in the USA has ASD.  There are 40,000 cases of ASD each year in the USA.  ASD is highly genetic.  However, no specific gene has been associated with ASD. There are about 100 possible genes that could link directly with ASD.  There is 2 type of symptoms associated with ASD. The first kid is referred to as core features.   The core features of ASD are repetitive behaviors and problems with social communications.  The second type is called associated conditions. Some examples of associated conditions are anxiety, hyperactivity, mood swings, self-harm, tantrums, etc.  Currently, there is no medical or blood test that can detect ASD.  ASD is currently diagnosed with behavioral symptoms.  Patients with ASD have a larger brain than a normal person.  There is no cure for ASD.  However, behavior therapy, Learning programs, medications, and other treatments have shown to lessen the symptoms of ASD.
 
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder)
ADHD affects about 5% of all school-aged children. People with ADHD might have trouble in school, keeping a job or having good relationships.  Symptoms of ADHD more ape by middle childhood. There are 3 core symptoms of ADHD. The first core symptom is inattention. This is when people with ADHD do not focus.  This is mostly because they are too focused on something else to listen to what you are saying.  Most of the time a person with ADHD does not purposefully ignore you.  ADHD can co-exist with other disorders such as depression or ASD.  Like ASD ADHD does not have a specific diagnostics. ADHD is diagnosed by family history, DSM-IV criteria, childhood symptoms as well as physiological assessment.  ADHD could occur because of altered brain citrus in the cortex, cerebellum as well as other areas of the brain