Developmental and Cognitive Disorders

  • ADHD and the Brain

    Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common behavioral disorder that emerges in children before the age of 7 and can extend into adulthood. It was discovered in 1902 and thought to be a symptom of brain damage. The occurrence of ADHD is closely tied to biological factors such as the size and density of various brain structures and their…

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  • Learning Disorders

    This preview to NYUs Child Study Center shows two young people and Dr. Dominick Auciello who explain how the center benefits those with learning disorders. The first patient, a teenage boy, explains that his teachers dont see his struggle because he seems normal in class. The second patient, a young girl, has difficulty reading. How are learning disorders recognized in…

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  • Stuttering is a Neurological Condition

    Now there’s new hope for a life-altering condition. Growing evidence suggests stuttering is neurological, not emotional, as so many have thought. And help may soon be on the way. CNN documents peoples struggle with stuttering, its prevalence, and a new treatment. As a former stutterer, Dr. Jerry Maguire discusses his difficulty overcoming stuttering and his research on the brain-speech centers…

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  • Expressive Language Disorder Sariah Age 10

    Expressive language disorder occurs when an individual has problems expressing him or herself using spoken language. Expressive language disorder is generally a childhood disorder. There are two types of expressive language disorder: the developmental type and the acquired type. Developmental expressive language disorder does not have a known cause and generally appears at the time a child is learning to…

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  • Selective Mutism

    This clip from ABC News discusses selective mutism. Children with selective mutism are able to speak regularly when at home but are unable to do so at school or in unfamiliar situations. The Galie family is documented; seven-year-old Morgan is a chatterbox at home, but does not speak in class. Morgan feels afraid and is unable to function socially, emotionally,…

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  • Heather from Americas Next Top Model Talks to Jason C.

    Heather, a contestant on Americas Next Top Model, suffers from Aspergers syndrome. She was Cover Girl of the Week almost every week (a viewer-selected nomination). A combination of her comments, her edgy beauty, and her unique challenge (Asperger’s) made Heather a popular and polarizing Top Model contestant. She talked with Jason C. about the toughest challenge, her feelings about elimination,…

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  • I Am Sam trailer

    This trailer for I Am Sam shows Sam, who is mentally retarded, and his struggle to support his young daughter, Lucy. Because her intellectual maturation exceeds his by the time she reaches age eight, Lucy is taken away from Sam. He hires a prestigious lawyer who attempts to help Sam get custody of Lucy. How prevalent is mild mental retardation…

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  • Up Syndrome

    University of Texas student Duane Graves chronicles his charismatic childhood chum Rene Moreno, a San Antonio native with Down syndrome, in this playful, stirring, remarkably unique portrait documentary titled Up Syndrome. Duane, in his childhood, had difficulty understanding Down syndrome and hoped to make Rene up by making him smile and laugh. Duane and Rene were inseparable. This multi-award-winning documentary…

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  • Fragile X Documentary Trailer

    Living with Fragile X takes a rare and intimate look at the lives of several families who live with a member affected by Fragile X Syndrome. Fragile X is the leading cause of inherited mental disability and the leading known cause of autism. Living with Fragile X explains what fragile X is and how it is passed, exposes the day-to-day…

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