Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Includes all forms of communication(other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants and ideas.  AAC can be either Unaided like signs or gestures or Aided using  tools or equipment.

Amniocentesis 

Is a prenatal test preformed around the middle of the pregnancy used to detect chromosomal abnormalities in the developing baby.  A sample of the Amniotic fluid is removed from the uterus using a needle.

Asperger Syndrome 

Is a development disorder within the Autistic Spectrum disorders.  It affects how the brain processes information.  It shapes a person’s social, emotional and communication skills and behaviours.

Anterior Commissure 

Refers to a bundle of nerve fibres that cross the midline of the brain

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Is a condition characterised by excessively inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive behaviour in some children.

 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Is used to describe a group of disorders that include autism, Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder.  The term spectrum is used because it describes the wide variety and differing levels of severity of symptoms found in people with ASD.

Autistic 

Is given to individuals with impairments in social interaction and communication as well as restricted and repetitive interests, activities and behaviours.

Cerebral Palsy

A physical condition that primarily affects movement.  It is a developmental disability that results from damage to or dysfunction of the developing brain.

Chromosomal Abnormalities

Are caused by errors in the number or structure of chromosomes and occur when an egg or sperm cell develops.

Chromosomes

 Chromosomes are tiny structures in every cell of the body.  They contain the genes that determines traits like eye or hair colour.  Genes also direct growth and development in all parts of the body.  Each person, normally have 23 pairs of chromosomes, or 46 in all.

Cognitive Development

Looks at the child’s development in terms of information processing, conceptual resources, perceptual skill, language learning and other aspects of brain development.  It is the emergence of the ability to think and understand.

Colpocephaly 

Is a brain disorder in which there is an abnormal enlargement of the occipital horns of the brain – the posterior or rear portion of the lateral  ventricles of the brain.  The enlargement occurs when thee is underdevelopment of the white matter in the posterior cerebrum.

Complete Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum

Is where the Corpus Callosum failed to develop.  It is completely missing.

Congenital 

is a condition that is present when  your baby is born.

CT scan 

CT stands for Computeriesed Tomography and are sometimes called CAT scans.  It is an X-ray that is used to see internal structures of the body in great detail.  These images are displayed as thin slices of the body on a computer screen.

 Corpus Callosum

Is the major connection between the two sides or hemispheres of the brain.

Dysgenesis of the Corpus Callosum 

The corpus Callosum is present but malformed in come way

 Epilepsy

 Is where a person has shown a tendency to have recurring seizures. 

Electoencephalography (EEG)

Is a medical test used to measure the electrical activity of the brain, via electrodes applied to the scalp 

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

is a pattern of mental and physical defects that can develop in a fetus in association with high levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Genetics

Is the study of hereditary and genetic issues that impact of the appearance, health and behavior of an individual 

Genu

the anterior extremity of the Corpus Callosum that folds downward and backward on itself, terminating in the rostrum.

Global Developmental Delay  

refers to a delay in two or more important areas of development.  These areas include Speech and language, motor, academic, social and emotional, self help and learning ability

Hydrocephalus                                                                                                              

is a condition in which there is excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain, usually requires a shunt to remove it.

Hyposplasia of the Corpus Callosum

The Corpus Callosum is present but abnormally thin.

Hypotonia

is a condition of abnormally low muscle tone.  A baby may seem floppy when held.

Microarray

Is a tool for analyzing gene expression that consists of a small membrane or glass slide containing samples of many genes arranged in a regular pattern.

MRI Magnetic resonance imaging

Is a scan that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take pictures inside the body.  It is especially helpful to collect pictures of soft tissues such as organs and muscles that don’t show up on X-ray examinations.

Partial Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum 

A portion of the Corpus Callosum is missing

Pervasive Development Disorder (not otherwise specified)  (PDD-NOS)

Is another disorder within the ASD category and is given when an individual has a marked social impairment but fails to meet the full criteria for other two disorders.

Probst Bundles 

Are collections of brain cells usually in individuals with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum.  When the neuron that make up the corpus Callosum fail to cross the midline, these neuron collect in both hemispheres of the brain. 

 Seizures

Is when the brain’s nerve cells misfire and generate sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain.

Sensory Processing Disorder

The inability of a person to interpret everyday sensory information, such as sound, movement and touch.  They can be Hypersensitive (over react and avoid sensory input) or Hyposensitive (under reactive, seeks sensory input)

Splenium

The thickened posterior border of the Corpus Callosum

Static Encephalopathy 

means that a child’s brain is not working normally due to some kind of injury, defect, damage or illness and this interferes in some way with normal function, development or leaning.

Syndrome 

A group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, psychological disorder, or other abnormal condition.

Ultrasound

Is used to demonstrate internal body structures. Ultrasound scans work by sending out high frequency sound waves and recording the reflected sound or ‘echoes’ to create an image.

 Ventriculomegaly

is the finding of abnormally dilated, or enlarged, ventricles in the fetal brain.