Biological Understanding of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Based on Epigenetics, a New Genetic Concept in Education

Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, and learning disabilities, are heterogeneous conditions that are thought to have a multifactorial etiology including congenital genetic abnormalities and acquired environmental factors. Epigenetics is a biological mechanism that controls gene expression based on chemical modifications of DNA and chromosomal histone proteins. Environmental factors, such as severe mental stress, have been demonstrated to alter gene expression by changing epigenetic chemical modifications in the brain. Therefore, epigenetics is not only involved in congenital autism spectrum disorder-like conditions (e.g., Prader-Willi syndrome and Rett syndrome) but may also be involved in acquired attention deficit hyperactive disorder-like conditions (e.g., via child abuse and neglect). In this chapter, we introduce the basis of the epigenetic mechanism and the recent biological understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders based on epigenetics, which is a new genetic concept not only in medicine but also in education, which bridges internal brain mechanisms and external environmental factors.

#60: Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Adolescents Living with HIV/AIDS - A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction Perinatally HIV infected neonates are surviving into adulthood with an impact on mental and emotional health. Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant disorder (ODD) are few of the common behavioral disorders, which have been found to have a higher prevalence amongst HIV infected children. Objectives The objectives were to assess the proportion of ADHD and ODD in adolescents living with HIV/AIDS and to find its association with various factors. Materials and Methods 88 adolescents aged 10–19 years living with HIV/AIDS were included in the study. The Swanson, Nolan Pelham (SNAP-IV) scale was administered to the caretakers and children were assessed for the proportion of ADHD/ODD. Association between those who scored positive with duration of treatment, CD4 counts, stage of disease and socio-demographic variables were done using statistical tests. Results Our study included 88 participants, of whom 9 scored positive in the inattention subset resulting in a proportion of 10.2%. 5 participants had symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity resulting in a proportion of 5.6% and 1 had combined symptoms with a proportion of 1.1%. 13 scored positive in the opposition/defiant subset resulting in a proportion of 14.7%. No statistical significance was found between duration of treatment, CD4 count, stage of disease, socio-demographic variables and ADHD/ODD. Conclusion The proportion of ADHD and ODD in this study was found to be comparable to the general population. A holistic approach to improve the long-term health of these youth is needed to ensure that our success in achieving survival of HIV-infected children from infancy is maintained into adulthood.

The Missing Voices-Mothers Raising Children With ADHD: A Qualitative Inquiry

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural disorder commonly diagnosed among children. The symptoms associated with the diagnosis not only affect the child, but everyone connected to the child. For mothers raising children with ADHD there are often various demands and pressures placed on them. This major research paper addresses some of these mothering experiences through a qualitative methodology known as narrative inquiry (NI). This study centers mothers’ stories of everyday encounters at home, school, in medical clinics, and within the community. It also takes up these narratives through the framework of critical feminist race theory (CRFT), with a pinch of Foucauldian philosophy addressing knowledge, power, and governmentality through bio-politics. Jonathan Gottschall said it best, “We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the minds stays up all night, telling itself stories.” I invite you on a journey of stories through the eyes of every loving mother raising a child with ADHD.

The Missing Voices-Mothers Raising Children With ADHD: A Qualitative Inquiry

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural disorder commonly diagnosed among children. The symptoms associated with the diagnosis not only affect the child, but everyone connected to the child. For mothers raising children with ADHD there are often various demands and pressures placed on them. This major research paper addresses some of these mothering experiences through a qualitative methodology known as narrative inquiry (NI). This study centers mothers’ stories of everyday encounters at home, school, in medical clinics, and within the community. It also takes up these narratives through the framework of critical feminist race theory (CRFT), with a pinch of Foucauldian philosophy addressing knowledge, power, and governmentality through bio-politics. Jonathan Gottschall said it best, “We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the minds stays up all night, telling itself stories.” I invite you on a journey of stories through the eyes of every loving mother raising a child with ADHD.

The Profile of Children Diagnosed with ADHD in Bihor County. Descriptive Data

Although the topic of the profile of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is important for those involved in therapy or teaching, we found very few studies focusing on Romanian populations, and those targeting the North-Western region (Bihor County) are even fewer. ADHD is the most common childhood disorder (Aman et al., 1998), and it is important not only to know and understand the symptoms, but also to pay attention to the cultural specificity of the ADHD diagnosis, if it is possible. We conducted a documentary analysis, aiming to identify the profile of children diagnosed with ADHD in Bihor County and in this regard, we analyzed 196 files registered at the Municipal Hospital from Oradea in 2015. We focused on the demographic data, the symptoms, the comorbid disorders, the treatments, the school environment and type. Our findings confirmed that boys diagnosed with ADHD are more numerous than girls, and we also found significant differences between children depending on their ADHD core symptoms.