| Brain |
Cerebral Hemispheres. Cerebellum
& Brain Stem |
| CNS |
Brain & Spinal Cord |
| PNS |
Cranial & Spinal Nerves,
Ganglia (associated nerve cell collections) |
| Nerve Cells |
Cell Body & and one or several
fibres which conduct impulses toward (Dendrites) or away from (Axons) the
cell body. Basic unit of the nervous system consisting of one Axon and one
or several Dendrites. |
| Synapse |
Area where the fine processes of
one neuron are in contact with the fine processes of another neuron -
electrical impulses are transmitted here from one cell to another. |
| Synaptic Cleft |
"Gap" at the end of a
synapse where neurotransmitters are released via fluid filled pouches
(Vesicles) - neurotransmitters inhibit or produce impulses in the
Dendrites of other neurons and "transmit" the message
chemically. |
| Grey Matter |
Collections of Nerve Cell Bodies. |
| White Matter |
Fibre collections encased in Myelin
(protein sheath) |
| Nerve Tracts |
Nerve Fibre Collections |
Cerebral
Hemispheres |
Largest and uppermost part of the
Brain - control highest functions of thought, memory, language, sensation
& voluntary movements. |
| Cortex |
Layer of Nerve Cells - covers the
entire surface of the Cerebral Hemispheres (Grey Matter) - Nerve Fibres
are underneath of this layer (White Matter). |
| Gyri |
Folds on the surface of the
Cerebral Hemispheres. |
| Sulci |
Fissures or furrows - Often used as
markers for Lobes of the Brain. |
| Lobes |
Portions of the Brain divided by
Fissures - Each Cerebral Hemisphere has Four Lobes. |
Corpus
Callosum |
Broad band of connecting fibres
that interconnect the two Hemispheres |
| Frontal Lobe |
Front 1/3 portion of the Cerebral
Hemispheres - Complex Planning / Executive Functions. |
| Temporal Lobe |
Lateral or side portions of the
Cerebral Hemispheres - Auditory / Language / Memory. |
| Occipital Lobe |
Behind and below the Temporal Lobe
- Vision. |
| Parietal Lobe |
Upper and rear sides of the
Cerebral Hemispheres - Sensory / Language. |
| Limbic System |
Deep structures of the Brain -
Emotion / Memory. |
| Brain Stem |
Small area connecting the Cerebral
Hemispheres with the Spinal Cord and Cerebellum - Automatic Regulation /
Consciousness. |
| Cerebellum |
Under the Occipital Lobe and in the
rear portion of the Brain - Coordination / Balance / Tone. |
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
(FAS)
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Spectrum Disorder
(FASSD) |
An organic Brain disorder resulting
in disability caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. The affected person
has:
- height, weight and growth deficiencies
- a specific pattern of facial features
- central nervous system damage, which results in a unique cluster of
behavioral symptoms - extreme vulnerability to peer pressure,
volatile/dangerous behaviour without predatory intent, inability to see
the need to follow rules, childlike innocence regardless of age,
egocentric, disrupted understanding of cause and effect
|
| Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE)
Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND)
|
A condition in which prenatal
alcohol exposure caused CNS damage, but the facial features and/or growth
deficiencies are not present. |
Developmental
Disabilities |
A severe and chronic disability of
a person which:
- is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or a combination
of mental and physical impairment.
- is manifested before the person attains age 22
- is likely to continue indefinitely
- results in substantial functional limitations in three or more of
the following areas of major life activity (self-care, receptive and
expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for
independent living, economic self-sufficiency)
- reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of
special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other
services which are lifelong or extended duration and individually
planned and coordinated.
(Haring & McCormick, 1986) |
Learning
Disabilities |
"Learning Disability" is
a generic term that refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders
manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of
listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical
abilities. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual and
presumed to be due to Central Nervous System Dysfunction. Even
though a learning disability may occur concomitantly with other
handicapping conditions (e.g. sensory impairment, mental retardation,
social and emotional disturbance) or environmental influences (e.g.
cultural differences, insufficient/inappropriate instruction, psychogenic
factors) it is not the direct result of those condition or influences.
(National Joint Council on Learning Disabilities, 1981) |
| Learning Disorder |
Refers to any observed learning
difficulty. |
| Learning Disability |
is a subset of Learning Disorders
(as above). |
Specific Learning
Disability |
is a subset of Learning
Disabilities and is specific to one or more academic areas (as above). |
