Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A condition that affects people’s behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse.
Autism
An umbrella term now being used more commonly in place of various diagnoses, autistic people may act in a different way to other people. An example of a previously used diagnosis now being phased out in favour of Autism is Asperger's Syndrome.Asperger's Syndrome (Asperger’s) is used by some people to describe autistic people with average or above average intelligence. This diagnosis is widely being phased out in favour of a diagnosis of Autism (or Autistic Spectrum Disorder / Condition).
Girls and Autism
The way that boys and girls are assessed for autism is the same, however the areas in which they face challenges can be different. Please note that these are generalisations and that some girls will present with typically “male” autistic traits and some boys will present with “female” traits. It is often the case that parents of these boys will also struggle to secure a diagnosis.
For girls who have complex needs, autistic traits may be clear, but for many in a mainstream environment, the way that autism presents may differ significantly to the male presentation. Historically, more boys than girls were diagnosed with autism, as the diagnostic criteria was biased towards boys. That is starting to change as understanding improves about the differences.
Girls are more likely to:
- Have special interests in the same way that many boys do, but are often in more culturally acceptable areas, for example, Harry Potter, Our Generation dolls, boy bands, make-up tutorials on YouTube etc.
- Seem better able to manage social relationships when they are young, but difficulties often occur in later primary years as they approach adolescence.
- Be more likely to become withdrawn than behave aggressively.
- Mask their differences. Many boys do this too, but it is a very common feature for girls.
- Have a group of friends who support them and guide them through difficult social situations. However, these relationships can change as girls grow up and interests change, and they may find it very difficult to lose not only friends but also their support network.
Autism and Gender IdentityGender identity and biological sex are different things. People are usually assigned a sex at birth according to their genitalia – male or female.
Masking (Autism, ADHD)
Masking or camouflaging is sometimes used by people with autism or ADHD to disguise or suppress specific autism traits or behaviours in social situations.
Stimming or self-stimulating behaviour includes arm or hand-flapping, finger-flicking, rocking, jumping, spinning or twirling, head-banging and complex body movements.
Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia)
Is a condition affecting physical co-ordination. It causes a child to perform less well than expected in daily activities for their age, and appear to move clumsily.
Down's Syndrome
Is when you're born with an extra chromosome. You usually get an extra chromosome by chance, because of a change in the sperm or egg before you're born. This change does not happen because of anything anyone did before or during pregnancy.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that mainly causes problems with reading, writing and spelling.
Dysgraphia
Is a condition that causes problems with written expression. For many children, young people and adults with dysgraphia, holding a pencil and organising letters on a line are difficult. They may also struggle with spelling, and with processing their thoughts and writing them down.
Dyscalculia
Is not the same as maths anxiety, but people with dyscalculia can react strongly to activities involving mathematics, for instance they may get upset or frustrated when playing board games.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common condition that affects the brain and causes frequent seizures. Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works. They can cause a wide range of symptoms.
Learning Disabilities/Difficulties
These terms are largely interchangeable.
Learning Disabilities
Is a term mostly used by health and social care professionals to describe permanent and lifelong difficulties with learning and achieving personal and social independence. Learning disabilities are often classified as mild, moderate, severe or profound. People with severe learning disabilities are likely to require support throughout their life.
Learning Difficulties
This term is most frequently used within education and refers to the challenges that children and young people can face in achieving at a level similar to their peers. Learning difficulties range from specific difficulties such as Dyslexia, which may relate to only one skill area, to severe, multiple or profound difficulties. Pupils with moderate difficulties whose learning needs are predictable, will usually have these met in a mainstream school. Those with severe or complex difficulties, whose needs are exceptional, may require a more specialist educational setting.
Mental Health
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that globally, one in seven 10-19 year-olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease in this age group. Depression, Anxiety and Behavioural Disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds. The consequences of failing to address adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. People can start having symptoms from as early as 6 years old, but it often begins around puberty and early adulthood.
Little is known about the effects of alcohol in pregnancy, but research and awareness are increasing, which are helping to provide early support for children and help for affected parents in a non-judgemental way. Midwives and other healthcare professionals concerned about FASD may wish to consult the
National FASD Alcohol & Pregnancy Toolkit.
Clicking on any of the following bullet-point links will provide information on some other conditions and disorders not covered in the above list: