Lesson 14: Neurodevelopmental Disorders


Attention

Court Jesters

It is thought by many that "Court Jesters" were likely individuals with disabilities, including Mental Retardation, who were put on display to act the "Fool" for the aristocracy.

Shakespears use of the "Fool" in his plays (such as "Puck" in "Midsummer Nights Dream") as the one character who really understood what was going on, was a "slam" to the intelligence of the aristocracy of the time! (If the Fool understands, what does that say about the Kings, Queens, and Princes!!??)


Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:

  • Apply an understanding of the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders to a case study

NOTES

Chapter 14-Neuroevelopmental Disorders

Kevin looks like anyone else his age.  He stands about six-feet tall with black hair and blue eyes that sparkle when he laughs.  The kids in the neighborhood where he lives with his mother and grandmother tease him sometimes, but he doesn’t understand why.  He tries to be nice to them when he asks if they want to play checkers and tag.  At first, some of the kids did play tag with him, but, when their parents saw how old Kevin was, they told their children to stay away from him.  Now they ride by on their bikes and yell things at him when he tries to talk to them.  He doesn’t understand why.  He waves at them anyway.

During the day, Kevin goes to work at ARC (The Association for Retarded Citizens).  He doesn’t really know what “ARC” means, but, he likes putting  letters in the envelopes and putting smashed cans in burlap sacks.  Sometimes, he can put more in one sack than anyone else.  His supervisor, Jason, says that he is a very hard worker.  Kevin likes Jason and has many friends at work.  At lunch, they sit at the picnic table and play checkers.  He always wins.  People at ARC are much nicer than the people in his neighborhood.  One day, a mean kid called him a “retard.”  When he asked his grandmother what a “retard” was, she laughed and said, “A retard is a kid who rides his bike all day instead of doing something nice for someone else.”  Kevin looked a bit puzzled and exclaimed loudly, “Then all of the kids outside are retards!”  His grandmother readily agreed and laughed loudly.  She loved her “little baby” and was very protective of this 28 year-old “boy.”

Probably no other diagnosis has been more stigmatized than mental retardation.  The fact is, approximately 90% of those people who are diagnosed as mentally retarded are considered “mildly” retarded.  That means, they can learn, love, have meaningful friendships, take care of their own needs and live fulfilling lives. They do not sit in the corner and drool.  With all of the misinformation floating around out there, it is no wonder that people are confused by this group of diagnoses.  Developmental Disorders by their very nature are a function of slower than “normal development” in some area (i.e. cognitive).   So, what is the difference between mental retardation and Autism?  What about a Learning Disability?  Doesn’t that mean that they are retarded?   How about ADHD?  How does that fit in this area?  Are those kids retarded too?  This chapter will walk us through this rather confusing mire of never-ending labels and euphemisms.


CLASS ACTIVITIES

Lesson 14 Assignment - Case Study

Open the Case Study labeled “Billy” You have a case and a series of questions to answer (this case study will look familiar)

Click here to download the Case Study