GLOSSARY

 

ADHD

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. It is usually first diagnosed in

childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble monitoring when they need to

pay attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly

active.

There are three types of ADHD, depending on which types of symptoms are strongest in the individual:

  • Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: It is challenging for the individual to organize or finish a task, to pay

    attention to details, or to follow instructions or conversations. The person is easily distracted or forgets details

    of daily routines.

  • Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: The person fidgets and talks a lot. It is hard to sit still for

    long (e.g., for a meal or while doing homework). Smaller children may run, jump or climb constantly. The individual

    feels restless and has trouble with impulsivity. Someone who is impulsive may interrupt others a lot, grab things

    from people, or speak at inappropriate times. It is hard for the person to wait their turn or listen to directions. A

    person with impulsiveness may have more accidents and injuries than others.

  • Combined Presentation: Symptoms of the above two types are equally present in the person.

Since symptoms can change over the years, the presentation may change over time as well.

Auditory Processing Delays

Auditory Processing Delays affect the way that an individual’s brain understands what they are hearing.

It is not a form of hearing loss, despite showing difficulty with hearing-related tasks. Auditory delays occur

in the auditory system of the brain called the auditory cortex. Auditory Processing Delays,

also referred to as Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), can occur in both children and adults.

It can only be tested for and diagnosed by an audiologist.

Dyscalculia

Dyscalculia is a math learning disability that impairs an individual’s ability to learn number-related concepts,

perform accurate math calculations, reason and problem solve, and perform other basic math skills.

Dysgraphia

Dysgraphia is a neurological disorder of written expression that impairs writing ability and fine motor skills.

It is a learning disability that affects children and adults, and interferes with practically all aspects of the

writing process, including spelling, legibility, word spacing and sizing, and expression.

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that manifests in having difficulty with reading due to problems identifying speech sounds

and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding). Also called reading disability, dyslexia

affects areas of the brain that process language.

Executive Function Challenges

Challenges with executive function can impact proficiency in one or more of the following skills:

adaptable and flexible thinking, planning, self-monitoring, self-control, working memory, time

management, and organization.

Expressive Language Delay

Expressive language delay (ELD) is a broad diagnosis that basically means that a child is having challenges

using language in some way or another. Since this diagnosis is so broad, each child with this diagnosis looks

very different. Some have difficulty putting words together to form sentences. Some have challenges using the

correct vocabulary and words. Others have gaps when sequencing information together into a logical manner.

There are all types of different expressive language symptoms and each one is treated in a unique manner.

Receptive Language Delay

Receptive language delay affects a person’s ability to understand what others are saying. As the American

Speech-Language-Hearing-Association (ASHA) explains, language refers to the words we use and how they

are used in order to share ideas and get what we want.

Visual Processing Delays

Visual processing delay can cause issues with the way the brain processes visual information. These delays

can include trouble drawing or copying, inability to detect differences in shapes or letters, and letter reversals. Visual

Processing delays, sometimes called Visual processing disorders (VPDs) affect many students diagnosed with

language-based learning disabilities.