bonobos vs chimpanzees 1 kevin t. blake, ph.d., p.l.c. all rights reserved cross country education

Cross Country Education 1

Bonobos Vs Chimpanzees

Kevin T. Blake, Ph.D., P.L.C. All Rights Reserved


Humans are Apes

“Today it is impossible to refute this point: We are anatomically, neurologically, genetically, physiologically apes” (p. 3-4).

Ramachandran, V.S. (2011). The Tell-Tale Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Quest for What Makes Us Human. New York, NY: Norton, 3-4.



Differences in Bonobo and Chimpanzee Emotional Neuroanatomy

“We find that bonobos have more gray matter in brain regions involved in perceiving distress in both oneself and others, including the right dorsal amygdala and right anterior insula. Bonobos also have a larger pathway linking the amygdala with the ventral anterior cingulate cortex, a pathway implicated in both top–down control of aggressive impulses as well as bottom–up biases against harming others. We suggest that this neural system not only supports increased empathic sensitivity in bonobos, but also behaviors like sex and play that serve to dissipate tension, thereby limiting distress and anxiety to levels conducive with prosocial behavior”.

Rilling, J.K, Scholz, J., Preuss, T.M., Glasser, M.F., Errangi, B. and Behrens, T.E. (April 5, 2011). Differences Between Chimpanzees and Bonobos in Neural Systems Supporting Social Cognition. Social Cognitive Neuroscience. doi: 10.1093/scan/nsr017 .



Teco The Autistic Bonbo Child

Teco a male bonobo toddler of 18 months who lives at the Great Ape Trust in Iowa is thought to be autistic. His autistic-like symptoms are, “lack of eye contact, strict adherence to rituals or routines, repetitive behaviors, and an interest in objects rather than in social contact”. Eye contact with other bonobos appears to be painful to him. Teco’s mother took him to his aunt to see if she could help her parent him. Later the aunt asked the facility’s staff for help. Efforts are underway to sequence Teco’s genome.

DeWeerdt, S. (April 15, 2011). An Ape with ‘Autism’. Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative

(SFARI). From website: https://sfari.org/news-and-opinion/blog/an-ape-with-autism. Kevin T. Blake, Ph.D., P.L.C. All Rights Reserved

https://sfari.org/news-and-opinion/blog/an-ape-with-autism


Disability Rights



National Disability Rights Network

• By Federal Law every state must have a Disability Law Center which provides free consultation on disability laws in the schools and work. The website on the right will direct you to the center in your state.

• www.ndrw.org


http://www.ndrw.org/


Reading Disorder/Dyslexia



National Dyslexia Research

The NICHD Research Program in Reading Development, Disorders and Instruction

Lyon, G.R. (March 5, 2009). The NICHD Research Program in Reading Development, Disorders and Instruction. National Center for learning Disabilities. From website: http://www.ncld.org/ld-basics/ld-aamp-language/reading/the-nichd-research-program-in-reading-development-reading-disorders-and-reading-instruction


http://www.ncld.org/ld-basics/ld-aamp-language/reading/the-nichd-research-program-in-reading-development-reading-disorders-and-reading-instruction





How To Help Those With Dyslexia To Reading

National Reading Panel Panel of government funded experts released a report to United States Congress (April 13, 2000)– Reviewed over 100,000 reading research articles

published since 1966– 10 to 15 percent of dyslexics will drop out of high

school.



How to Help Those With Dyslexia To Read

National Reading Panel

– First teach phonemic awareness (rhyming, clapping out word sounds, etc.)

– Second teach phonics (sound to symbol)– Third teach Whole Language– In this order with dyslexics

National Reading Panel (4/13/2000). www.nichd.gov/publications/pubs/readbro.htm



Multisensory Teaching Techniques• Orton-Gillingham

Approach• Alphabetic Phonics• Association Method• Language!• Lexia-Herman Method• Lindamood-Bell

International Dyslexia Association (2005). Framework for Informed Reading and Language Instruction: Matrix of Multisensory Structured Language Programs. Baltimore, MD: International Dyslexia Association.



Multisensory Teaching Techniques(Continued)

• Project Read• Slingerland• Sonday System• Sounds in Symbols• Spalding Method• Starting Over• Wilson Foundations &

Wilson Reading

International Dyslexia

Association (2005). Framework for Informed Reading and Language Instruction: Matrix of Multisensory Structured Language Programs. Baltimore, MD: International Dyslexia Association.



The “Dyslexia bd pq Phenomenon”

“When children learn to read they must “unlearn” mirror generalization in order to process ‘b’ and ‘d’ as distinct letters. In some children, this unlearning process, which goes against the spontaneous abilities inherited from evolution, seems to present a specific source of impairment.” (p. 253)

Dehaene, S. (2009). Reading in the Brain: The New Science of How We Read.

New York, NY: Penguin. Kevin T. Blake, Ph.D., P.L.C. All Rights Reserved


The “Dyslexia bd pq Phenomenon”

“Mirror writing occurs in all cultures, including China and Japan. It appears for a short period of time at the age when children first begin to write, and then it promptly vanishes. Unless this phenomenon extends beyond the ages of eight to ten, there is no cause for alarm. At this age, mirror errors are indeed more frequent in dyslexic children, though they can disappear later.” (p. 265)

Dehaene, S. (2009). Reading in the Brain: The New Science of How We Read. New York, NY: Penguin.



Mathematics Disorder and Anxiety



Mathematics

“Unlike reading, which needs to be taught, children have a biologically based propensity to acquire arithmetic skills (eg, counting, adding, and comparing and understanding quantities) without formal schooling. Interestingly, the computational basis for numeric abilities is not exclusive to Homo Sapiens and has been demonstrated in monkeys as well.” (p. 766)Infants can tell small quantities from large ones.

Shalev, R.S. (October, 2004). Developmental Dyscalculia. Journal of Child Neurology, 19 (10), pp. 765-771.



Mathematics Disorder

“Unlike reading, math is a discipline. It is the only discipline that is taught kindergarten through 12th grade. It is varied (think of measurement, geometry, data analysis, algebra, and rational numbers), cumulative in nature, and as you move across grade levels, it becomes increasingly complex.” (p. 10)

Woodward, J.P. (Spring, 2008). Theme Editor’s Summary - Dialogue is Important: Language in Mathematics Classrooms. Perspectives, 24 (2), p. 9-10.



Mathematics Disorder

• Today as students advance in grades they are expected to be able to use and understand the vocabulary of mathematics more and more. Many students have difficulty with math vocabulary; especially those with Learning Disorders.

Woodward, J.P. (Spring, 2008). Theme Editor’s Summary - Dialogue is Important: Language in Mathematics Classrooms. Perspectives, 24 (2), p. 9-10.



What Math Involves

“Any successful execution of math competencies requires the person is attentive, organized, able to switch sets, and work quickly enough to avoid overloading working memory stores that retain information needed for on-line access of different kinds of information.” (p. 210)

Fletcher, J. M., Lyon, G. Reid, Fuchs, L.S., and Barnes, M.A. (2007). Learning Disabilities: From Identification to Intervention. New York, NY: Guilford.



What Math Involves

“Mathematics involves computation, itself the product of knowledge and retrieval of facts, and application of procedural knowledge. Problem solving, particularly solving word problems, involves computation, language, reasoning, and reading skills and perhaps visual-spatial skills as well.” (p. 210)

Fletcher, J. M., Lyon, G. Reid, Fuchs, L.S., and Barnes, M.A. (2007). Learning Disabilities: From Identification to Intervention. New York, NY: Guilford.



Mathematical Intuition• What is Mathematical Intuition?

– Even in elementary arithmetic multiple cognitive areas are used for different tasks.

– Exact arithmetic uses specific language areas in the left inferior frontal lobe which generates associations between words.

– Symbolic arithmetic was dependent on improvement of number notations and is a cultural invention specific to humans.

Dehaene, S., Spelke, E. , Pinel, P., Stanescu, R., and Tsivkin, S. (May 7, 1999). Sources of Mathematical Thinking: Behavioral and Brain-Imaging Evidence. Science, 284, pp. 970-974.



Mathematical Intuition

– Approximate arithmetic relies on non-verbal quantity representation implemented in visual-spatial areas of the right and left parietal lobes.

– It is possible this non-verbal representational numeral quantifying ability has a long evolutionary history dating back to pre-humans.

Dehaene, S., Spelke, E. , Pinel, P., Stanescu, R., and Tsivkin, S. (May 7, 1999). Sources of Mathematical Thinking: Behavioral and Brain-Imaging Evidence. Science, 284, pp. 970-974.



Number Sense• Number Sense

“Gersten wrote, “Number sense is an emerging construct…that refers to a child’s fluidity and flexibility with numbers, the sense of what numbers mean and an ability to perform mental mathematics and to look at the world and make comparisons.” (p. 3)

Gersten, R. (1999). Number Sense: Rethinking Arithmetic Instruction for Students with Mathematical Disabilities. Journal of Special Education, 44, pp. 18-28./From website: http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/math_skills/gersten_dyscalculia.html (July 11, 2002).


http://www.ldonline.org/ld_indepth/math_skills/gersten_dyscalculia.html


Number Sense

“Children who start elementary school with difficulty associating small exact quantities of items with the printed numerals that represent those quantities are more likely to develop a math-related learning disability than are their peers, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health”.

NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (2011, October 24). Math disability linked to problem relating quantities to numerals. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 1, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2011/10/111024165553.htm



Number Sense

• Dr. David Geary stated, “Our findings suggest that children who generally struggle with math -- the low achievers -- may have a poor sense of numbers, but they can narrow the achievement gap in part because most of them can memorize new math facts and, thus, learn some aspects of math as quickly as their typically achieving peers”.




Number Sense

“Dr. Geary added that, in contrast to the low achievers, students with a math learning disability not only have a poor concept of numbers, but also have difficulty memorizing math facts”.




Number Sense

David C. Geary, Mary K. Hoard, Lara Nugent, Drew H. Bailey. Mathematical cognition deficits in children with learning disabilities and persistent low achievement: A five-year prospective study.. Journal of Educational Psychology, 2011; DOI: 10.1037/a0025398


http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0025398


Mathematics Anxiety

Students with Math Anxiety can learn to perform almost just as well as students without Math Anxiety if they learn to activate their The frontal and Parietal areas of the brain while problem solving. These areas help the anxious student control their negative emotions about math and hence allow them to perform cognitively better. Thus work on controlling negative cognitions associated with math would be helpful along with teaching math.

Sparks, S. (October 20, 2011). Brain Points to Potential Treatments for Math Anxiety.. Inside School Research (Blog), From : Education Week. From Website:: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/inside-school-research/2011/10/brain_study_points_to_potentia.html

Lyons, I.M., and Beilock, S.L. (October 20, 2011). Mathematics Anxiety: Separating The Math Form The Anxiety. Cerbral Cortex, doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhr289.


http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/inside-school-research/2011/10/brain_study_points_to_potentia.html

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/inside-school-research/2011/10/brain_study_points_to_potentia.html


Your Tax Dollars at Work

THE RESEARCH PROGRAM IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE COGNITION AND LEARNING-

DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS



Mathematics and Science Cognition and Learning: Development and Disorders (MSCL) Program

• Originally known as:• THE RESEARCH PROGRAM IN MATHEMATICS

AND SCIENCE COGNITION AND LEARNING-DEVELOPMENT DISORDERS

• Your Tax Dollars at Work!• http://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/crmc/c

db/prog_mscld/index.cfm


http://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/crmc/cdb/prog_mscld/index.cfm

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/crmc/cdb/prog_mscld/index.cfm


Your Tax Dollars At Work• Study the biology and genetics of math learning• Longitudinal study of number estimation• Study Subtypes of Math Disorders• Study normative development of math abilities• Study Classroom interventions for those with AD/HD,

Reading Disorder, Turner Syndrome, Fragile X, Williams Syndrome and Mathematics Disorder

Lyon, G.R. (March 25, 2004). United States Department of Health and Human Services. Testimony on Headstart before the Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, & Education and Related Agencies. Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives: www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/t040325.html .


http://www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/t040325.html


THE RESEARCH PROGRAM IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE COGNITION AND LEARNING- DEVELOPMENT AND DISORDERS

• Research into etiology, classification, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, genetics, longitudinal aspects and comorbidity of Mathematics Disorders

• Daniel B. Berch, Ph.D.: [email protected]

www.nichd.nih.gov/CRMC/cdb/math.htm#interest


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/CRMC/cdb/math.htm#interest


Mathematics Disorder: Prevalence

• 3 to 5% have Mathematics Disorder• There is an equal number of males and females who

have it.• ¼ of those with Dyslexia and ¼ with AD/HD have

Mathematics Disorder.• Those with Reading Disorder-Dyslexia and

Mathematics Disorder are the most impaired.

Shalev, R.S. (October, 2004). Developmental Dyscalculia. Journal of Child Neurology, 19 (10), pp. 765-771.



Number Sense

“Much of math ability is learned, but it’s quite possible that an inborn factor influences both the understanding of quantities as well as makes learning math easier for some people. This study doesn’t imply or prove that math abilities aren’t learned,” Mazzocco said.

Author (June 17, 2011). Difficulty Estimating Quantity Linked to Math Learning Disability. National Instute of Health News. From website: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/061711-math-disabilities-test.cfm


http://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/061711-math-disabilities-test.cfm



Math Learning Disorder=Problems With “Number Sense”

“Many children have significant mathematical learning disabilities (MLD, or dyscalculia) despite adequate schooling. We hypothesize that MLD partly results from a deficiency in the Approximate Number System (ANS) that supports nonverbal numerical representations across species and throughout development. Here we show that ninth grade students with MLD have significantly poorer ANS precision than students in all other mathematics achievement groups (low-, typical-, and high-achieving), as measured by psychophysical assessments of ANS acuity (w) and of the mappings between ANS representations and number words (covar). This relationship persists even when controlling for domain-general abilities. Furthermore, this ANS precision does not differentiate low- from typical-achieving students, suggesting an ANS deficit”.

Mazzocco, M.M., Feigenson, L. and Halberda, J (In Press) Impaired acuity of the approximate number system underlies mathematical learning disability. Child Development. From website: http://www.psy.jhu.edu/~halberda/publications/MLD_ANS_final.pdf


http://www.psy.jhu.edu/~halberda/publications/MLD_ANS_final.pdf


Math Learning Disorder=Problems With “Number Sense”

Michèle Mazzocco, Ph.D., whose research was funded by the NIH’s NICHD found that children with mathematics disorder/dyscalculia had the worst number estimation scores. About 10% of children have persistent problems with math. Poor number sense appear to be the core difficulty of those with dyscalculia, but not those who are low math achievers as a whole.

Author (June 17, 2011). Difficulty Estimating Quantity Linked to Math Learning Disability. National Instute of Health News. From website: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/news/releases/061711-math-disabilities-test.cfm Kevin T. Blake, Ph.D., P.L.C.

All Rights Reserved




Number Sense

Dehaene, S. (2011). The Number Sense, Revised and Updated Edition. New York, NY: Oxford.



Your Tax Dollars At Work

National Mathematics Advisory Panel Final Report: March 13, 2008




“This report represents the first comprehensive analysis of math education to be based on sound science…The National Math Advisory Panel’s findings and recommendations make very clear what must be done to help our children succeed in math. We must teach number and math concepts early, we must help our students believe they can improve their math skills and we must insure…




…they fully comprehend algebra concepts by the time they graduate high school. The Panel’s work will benefit generations of American students.” (Margaret Spellings, U.S. Secretary of Education, March 13, 2008)

Spellings, M. (March 13, 2008). U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings Highlights Findings of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel (Press Release). From: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressrelease/2008/03/03132008.html


http://www.ed.gov/news/pressrelease/2008/03/03132008.html



• Testimony of over 200 scientists• Over 150 organizations involved• Reviewed over 16,000 research studies

Spellings, M. (March 13, 2008). U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings Highlights Findings of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel (Press Release). From: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressrelease/2008/03/03132008.html





• Needs of Math Students:– Rapid recall of arithmetic facts in elementary

school– Mastering fractions in middle school– Rigorous algebra instruction in high school– The algebra instruction is most important to insure

good college and career success. Spellings, M. (March 13, 2008). U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings Highlights

Findings of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel (Press Release). From: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressrelease/2008/03/03132008.html






“There is not a sufficient number of studies with children of various ages and grades to draw strong conclusions about schooling and mathematical development, but the research that has been conducted thus far suggests a similar pattern, that is, decreased involvement of the prefrontal/working memory regions and increased involvement of the angular gyrus with increasing grade level and mathematical experience”.

Author (March 8, 2008). DRAFT Task Group Reports of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel: Report of the Task Group on Learning Processes. From: http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/mathpanel/report/learning-processes.pdf


http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/mathpanel/report/learning-processes.pdf



• Between 5 to 10 percent of students will be identified as having a Math LD before finishing high school.

• Most of the research on Math LD has been conducted with elementary aged children.

Author (March 13, 2008). DRAFT Task Group Reports of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel: Report of the Task Group on Instructional Practices. From: http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/mathpanel/report/ip.pdf


http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/mathpanel/report/ip.pdf



• Several “chronic” Math LDs:– Inefficient retrieval of math facts– Inefficient counting strategies (i.e., do not use “counting-

on strategies”)– Limited Working Memory Problems– Problems with Number Sense

• Can’t quickly visualize number lines for magnitude comparison and transforming word problems into equations






• Contributions to Low Math Achievement:– Deficient math instruction– Limited informal math teaching in the home– Problems with sustained mental effort (i.e.,

AD/HD, etc.)– Weak motivation






• Explicit Instruction for Math LD:“Explicit instruction involves step-by-step plans for solving a problem. The teacher demonstrates a specific plan for a set of problems (as opposed to a general problem-solving heuristic strategy) and students are asked to use the same procedures/steps demonstrated by the teacher to solve the problem.” (p. 4-69)






“Generally, clear consistent modeling of step-by-step strategies through teacher explanation, modeling and demonstration; planful sequencing of teaching and practice examples; and specified procedures for providing corrective feedback characterize explicit systematic instruction…In addition, this set of studies also demonstrates how explicit instruction has evolved over time to incorporate more innovative instructional features that support and encourage interaction, flexibility, and generalization.” (p. 4-73)






• Classroom strategies to help those with MLD:– Concrete and visual representations– Explanations by teachers– Problem solving aloud; individually and as a group– Student group work– Carefully orchestrated practice and feedback– High but reasonable expectations Author (March 13, 2008). DRAFT Task Group Reports of the National Mathematics

Advisory Panel: Report of the Task Group on Instructional Practices. From: http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/mathpanel/report/ip.pdf





Educational Benchmarks:• By the end of 5th Grade:– Multiplication and division of whole numbers– Comparing fractions, decimals and common-

percent plus: addition and subtraction of same– Solve problems related to perimeter and area of

triangles and quadrilaterals having at least one pair of parallel sides

Author (March 13, 2008). National Mathematics Advisory Panel: Final Report. From:

http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/mathpanel/report/final-report.pdf





• Benchmarks by the end of 6th Grade:– Multiplication of fractions and decimals– All operations with positive and negative integers– Analyze properties of two-dimensional shapes and

solve problems of perimeter and area– Analyze properties of three-dimensional shapes

and solve problems of surface area and volumeAuthor (March 13, 2008). National Mathematics Advisory Panel: Final Report. From:






• Benchmarks by the end of 7th Grade:– All operations of positive and negative fractions– Solve problems involving percent, ratio, and rate

and extend this work to proportionality– Familiarity with the relationship between similar

triangles and the concept of the slope of a lineAuthor (March 13, 2008). National Mathematics Advisory Panel: Final Report. From:





Autism Spectrum Disorder and William’s Syndrome



AD/HD and ASD

• 26% of children with PDD-NOS, or ASD have comorbid Combined Type AD/HD

• 33% of children with PDD-NOS, or ASD have Comorbid Inattentive AD/HD

• 59% of Children with PDD-NOS, or ASD have some type of AD/HD

Goldstein, S., and Naglieri, J.A. (August, 2011). Neurocognitive and Behavioral Characteristics of children with ADHD and Autism: New Data and Strategies. The ADHD Report, 19(4), 10-12,16.



ASD and Genetics

“We propose an explanation that links these two types of families: sporadic autism in the low-risk families is mainly caused by spontaneous mutation with high penetrance in males and relatively poor penetrance in females; and high-risk families are from those offspring, most often females, who carry a new causative mutation but are unaffected and in turn transmit the mutation in dominant fashion to their offspring. (p. 12831).

Zhao, X., et al (July 31, 2007). Unified Genetic Theory for Sporadic and Genetic Autism. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 104(31), 12831-12836.



ASD and Genetics

“Autism is among the most clearly genetically determined of all cognitive-developmental disorders, with males affected more often than females” (p. 12831)

Zhao, X., et al (July 31, 2007). Unified Genetic Theory for Sporadic and Genetic Autism. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 104(31), 12831-12836.



ASD and GeneticsFemales have more resistance to the genetic form of autism than males.

Levy, D., et al (June 9, 2011). Rare De Novo and Transmitted Copy-Number Variation in Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Neuron, 70(5), 886-897.

Gilman, S.R., et al (June 9, 2011). Rare De Novo Variants Associated with Autism Implicate a Large Functional Network of Genes Involved in Formation and Function of Synapses, Neuron, 70(5), 898-907.



ASD and Genetics

A network of hundreds of genetic mutations may account for Autism.

Gilman, S.R., et al (June 9, 2011). Rare De Novo Variants Associated with Autism Implicate a Large Functional Network of Genes Involved in Formation and Function of Synapses, Neuron, 70(5), 898-907.



ASD and Neurology

“Our data provide the first anatomical evidence of an abnormal amygdala-fusiform system and its behavioral relevance to face-processing deficits in autism spectrum conditions. In light of recent evidence of the involvement of the fusiform gyrus and amygdala in social perception as well as the areas of social cognition and emotional awareness, all of which are relevant to autism, our findings might represent a core pathophysiological mechanism of autism” (p. 397).

Dziobek, I, Bahneman,M. Convit, A., and Heekeren, H.R. (April, 2010). The Role of The Fusiform-Amygdala System In The Pathophysiology of Autism. Archieves of General Psychiatry, 67(4), 397-405.



Williams Syndrome and Neurology

We found that the FFA was approximately two times larger among WS (Williams Sundrome, sic.) than TD (Typically Developing, sic.) participants (both absolutely and relative to the fusiform gyrus), despite apparently normal levels of face recognition performance on a Benton face recognition test. Thus, a larger FFA (Fusiform Face Area, sic) may play a role in face recognition proficiency among WS.

Golarai, G., et al (May 12, 2010). The Fusiform Face Area is Enlarged in Williams Syndrome. Journal of Neuroscience, 30(19), 6700-6712.



ASD and Williams Syndrome

“We speculate that the WS (Williams Syndrome, sic) problems lie not in their difficulty to process eyes per se, but in their problems with interpreting the social meaning of the eyes, implicating dysfunction of the amygdala circuit. Finally, our results lead us to question a prevailing view that WS and autism are situated at opposite ends of the continuum with respect to social cognition”(p. 288)

Tsirempolou, E., et al (November 15, 2006). Understanding the Social Meaning of the Eyes: Is Williams Syndrome So Different From Autism? World Journal of Pediatrics, 2(4), 288-296.




ASD and Williams Syndrome, “two sides of the same coin,” Allan Reiss Stanford Medical School professor said. Social behavior and communication are underdeveloped in ASD and overdeveloped in Williams Syndrome.

Inman, E. (May 20, 2010). New Findings About Williams Syndrome May Shed Light On Autism Research. The Stanford Daily. From website: http://www.stanforddaily.com/2010/05/20/new-findings-about-williams-syndrome-may-shine-light-on-autism-research/.


http://www.stanforddaily.com/2010/05/20/new-findings-about-williams-syndrome-may-shine-light-on-autism-research/




Reiss states those with ASD have smaller and less right fusiform gyrus face form areas (RtFFA) than the norm and those with Williams Syndrome larger RtFFA than the norm. He speculates the same gene may be involved in both disorders, but different mutations account for the behavioral differences.

Inman, E. (May 20, 2010). New Findings About Williams Syndrome May Shed Light On Autism Research. The Stanford Daily. From website: http://www.stanforddaily.com/2010/05/20/new-findings-about-williams-syndrome-may-shine-light-on-autism-research/.






Those with Williams Syndrome have a deletion of the 7q11.23 area of their genome that makes them highly sociable. Those with ASD have a duplication of the 7q11.23 area and have severe social deficits.

Sanders, S. et al (June 9, 2011). Multiple Recurrent De Novo CNVs, Including Duplications of the 7q11.23 Williams Syndrome Region, Are Strongly Associated with Autism. Neuron, 70(5), 863-865.




“Hypothetically, the gene may affect how infants learn the context for facial interactions. One version could cause excessive social drive resulting in behavior characteristic to Williams syndrome, while a different version could cause an “abnormally decreased drive to interact with people which might serve as a basis for how some people come to develop autism,” Reiss said.”

Inman, E. (May 20, 2010). New Findings About Williams Syndrome May Shed Light On Autism Research. The Stanford Daily. From website: http://www.stanforddaily.com/2010/05/20/new-findings-about-williams-syndrome-may-shine-light-on-autism-research/. Kevin T. Blake, Ph.D., P.L.C.

All Rights Reserved




Dogs and Williams Syndrome

Changes in the WBSCR-17 Gene Caused Grey Wolves to Become Dogs and Humans to Have Williams Syndrome.

vonHoldt, B.M., et al (March 17, 2010).Genome-Wide SNP and Haplotype Analyses Reveal A Rich History Underlying Dog Domestication. Nature, doi:10.1038/nature08837.

Ratliff, E. (March, 2011). Taming The Wild. National Geographic. From website: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/03/taming-wild-animals/ratliff-text/1


http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/03/taming-wild-animals/ratliff-text/1

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/03/taming-wild-animals/ratliff-text/1


ADHD Update



Barkley on Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD

“The HI-Type (Hyperactive/Impulsive Type ADHD, sic.) is apparently a milder or earlier stage of the C-Type (Combined Type ADHD, sic.), most commonly Identified in preschool age children” (p. 1).

Barkley, R.A. (October, 2011). Sluggish Cognitive Temp Is a Distinct Disorder from ADHD in Adults. The ADHD Report, 19(5), 1-6.


AD/HD and ASD

• 26% of children with PDD-NOS, or ASD have comorbid Combined Type AD/HD

• 33% of children with PDD-NOS, or ASD have Comorbid Inattentive AD/HD

• 59% of Children with PDD-NOS, or ASD have some type of AD/HD

Goldstein, S. and Naglieri, J.A. (August, 2011). Neurocognitive and Behavioral Characteristics of children with ADHD and Autism: New Data and Strategies. The ADHD Report, 19(4), 10-12,16.

Rule out Thyroid and Other Difficulties That May Look Like ADHD

• During a physical examination, a physician should rule out thyroid, lead poisoning and anemia problems as well as hearing and vision problems that may look like ADHD.

Barkley, R.A. (1995). Taking Charge of ADHD. New York, NY: Guilford, 122.


Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Update


Barkley On SCT• Adults with SCT have symptoms distinctly different from

those with Combined Type ADHD. This has been demonstrated with children as well.

• These differences were not caused by the subject’s age, sex or ethnicity.

• 46% of those with SCT did not have any type of ADHD.• 54% of those with SCT did not have symptoms of ADHD. Barkley, R. A. (2011, May 23). Distinguishing Sluggish Cognitive Tempo From

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1037/a0023961.

Barkley, R.A. (October, 2011). Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Is a Distinct Disorder from ADHD in Adults. The ADHD Report, 19(5), 1-6.

Barkley On SCT

• SCT and ADHD (All types) are separate and distinct disorders but can be comorbid:– 68% of Inattentive ADHD had comorbid SCT– 10% of Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD had SCT– 65% of Combined Type ADHD had SCT

Barkley, R. A. (2011, May 23). Distinguishing Sluggish Cognitive Tempo From Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1037/a0023961.


Barkley On SCT

• 49% of those with SCT had Inattentive ADHD• 8% of those with SCT had

Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD• 43% of those with SCT had Combined Type

ADHDBarkley, R. A. (2011, May 23). Distinguishing Sluggish Cognitive Tempo From



Barkley On SCT

• SCT subjects share 50% of the variance with Inattentive ADHD

• SCT subject shared 25% of the variance with Combined Type ADHD

• 46% of the SCT subjects had no ADHD symptoms



Barkley On SCT• Most subjects with ADHD and comorbid SCT were those with

significant inattentive symptoms.• The subjects that had ADHD with SCT were the weakest in

executive function, most impaired overall and had the worst outcomes.

• SCT appears to be more impairing occupationally, with less education and income than ADHD.

• ADHD subjects were more impaired psychosocially and in driving.• Approximately 5.1% of the general population has SCT.Barkley, R. A. (2011, May 23). Distinguishing Sluggish Cognitive Tempo From



Barkley On SCT

• Those with SCT and comorbid ADHD were the most impaired. Their group had the most unemployment.

• The SCT group alone had more executive function problems than problem solving and self organization than the ADHD groups and Control (non-ADHD and/or SCT) group.

• SCT may be related to narcolepsy, or “pathological mind wandering” (executive function problems in goal pursuit or working memory problems).



Barkley On SCT

• Some believe Inattentive ADHD is a mild form of Combined Type ADHD.

• SCT may be a separate and distinct type of disorder from the Inattentive Type ADHD.

• SCT may be comorbid with Inattentive ADHD.Barkley, R. A. (2011, May 23). Distinguishing Sluggish Cognitive Tempo From



Children with SCT

• Children with ADHD and comorbid anxiety were more likely to have SCT than those with ADHD or anxiety alone.

• ADHD, Combined Type and ADHD, Inattentive Type were likely to have SCT about 50% of the time.

• SCT children did not have slower reaction times, but more problems with spatial memory.

Skirbekk B., Hansen B.H,. Oerbeck B,. and Kristensen H. (May 2011). The Relationship Between Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Subtypes of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Anxiety Disorders. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 39(4),513-525.

bonobos vs chimpanzees 1 kevin t. blake, ph.d., p.l.c. all rights reserved cross country education

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