Definitions and Terms

acuity  n. [LL. acuitas: cf. F. acuit['e].]   Sharpness or acuteness, as of a needle, wit, etc.

ataxic  a. [Cf. F. ataxique. See Ataxia.] (Med.)   Characterized by ataxy, that is, (a) by great irregularity of functions or symptoms, or (b) by a want of coordinating power in movements.

athetoid  Twenty percent of individuals with cerebral palsy have the athetoid type, characterized by uncontrolled movements. This form of cerebral palsy is caused by injury to brain nerve fibers that are responsible for inhibition of muscle movement.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder – A disorder that exhibits symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.  If these symptoms occur over long periods of time (six months or longer) and in different settings, a diagnostic physician should be consulted.

 

au·di·to·ry   adj.Of or relating to hearing, the organs of hearing, or the sense of hearing.

beta cell   Any of the insulin-producing cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.  Any of the basophilic chromophil cells located in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland.

di·a·be·tes  Any of several metabolic disorders marked by excessive discharge of urine and persistent thirst, especially one of the two types of diabetes mellitus.

dominance  1: superior development of one side of the body [syn: laterality] 2: the state that exists when one person or group has power over another; "her apparent dominance of her husband was really her attempt to make him pay attention to her" [syn: ascendance, ascendence, ascendancy, ascendency, control] 3: the power to exercise authoritative or dominating control or influence over; "he has the authority to issue warrants" [syn: authority, say-so]

 

do·pa·mine  (plural do·pa·mines) noun chemical compound occurring in brain:  a chemical compound, found in thebrain, that transmits nerve impulses and is involved in the formation of epinephrine

dys·cal·cu·li·a  Impairment of the ability to solve mathematical problems, usually resulting from brain dysfunction.

dys·graph·ia Impairment of the ability to write, usually caused by brain dysfunction or disease.

dys·lex·i·a  noun 

  impaired ability to understand written language: A learning disorder marked by a severe difficulty in recognizing and understanding written language, leading to spelling and writing problems. It is not caused by low intelligence or brain damage.

dyspraxia   Impaired or painful function of any organ of the body

fu·sion   

  1. The act or procedure of liquefying or melting by the application of heat.
  2. The liquid or melted state induced by heat.
    1. The merging of different elements into a union: the fusion of copper and zinc to form brass; the difficult fusion of conflicting political factions.
    2. A union resulting from fusing: A fusion of religion and politics emerged.
  3. Physics. A nuclear reaction in which nuclei combine to form more massive nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy.
  4. Music that blends jazz elements and the heavy repetitive rhythms of rock. Also called jazz-fusion, jazz-rock.
  5. A style of cooking that combines ingredients and techniques from very different cultures or countries.

genetics – a branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of organisms

 hyperactivity n :  a condition characterized by excessive restlessness and movement

 

Impulse Control Disorder – Disorders in which a person act on a certain impulse, that is potentially harmful,  but they cannot resist. 

im·pul·sive adj.

  1. Inclined to act on impulse rather than thought.
  2. Motivated by or resulting from impulse: such impulsive acts as hugging strangers; impulsive generosity. See Synonyms at spontaneous.
  3. Having force or power to impel or incite; forceful.
  4. Physics. Acting within brief time intervals. Used especially of a force.

in·at·ten·tion  Lack of attention, notice, or regard

in·su·lin  

  1. A polypeptide hormone secreted by the islets of Langerhans and functioning in the regulation of the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats, especially the conversion of glucose to glycogen, which lowers the blood glucose level.
  2. Any of various pharmaceutical preparations containing this hormone that are derived from the pancreas of certain animals or produced through genetic engineering and are used in the medical treatment and management of diabetes mellitus (type I).

juvenile diabetes Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

lat·er·al·i·ty   Preference in using one side of the body over the other.

motility n. [Cf. F. motilit['e].] (Physiol.) Capability of motion; contractility.

 

muscle tic  Local and habitual spasmodic motion of particular muscles, i.e.uncontrollable twitching of the face.

   

neurologist n.  The medical scientist that deals with the nervous system and disorders affecting it.

neuropsychologist n.  The psychologist who deals with the relationship between the nervous system, especially the brain, and cerebral or mental functions such as language, memory, and perception.

 

ob·ses·sive-com·pul·sive dis·or·der noun

psychiatric condition of compulsive behavior:  a psychiatric disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior, for example, continual washing of the hands prompted by a feeling of uncleanliness.

occupational therapist n.The person who uses productive or creative activity in the treatment or rehabilitation of physically or emotionally disabled people.

oc·u·lar  

    1. Of or relating to the eye: ocular exercises; ocular muscles.
    2. Resembling the eye in form or function: ocular spots; an ocular organ.
  1. Of or relating to the sense of sight: an ocular aberration.
  2. Seen by the eye; visual: ocular proof.

pan·cre·as   A long, irregularly shaped gland in vertebrates, lying behind the stomach, that secretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum and insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin into the bloodstream.

pa·ram·e·ter   

  1. Mathematics.
    1. A constant in an equation that varies in other equations of the same general form, especially such a constant in the equation of a curve or surface that can be varied to represent a family of curves or surfaces.
    2. One of a set of independent variables that express the coordinates of a point.
  2.  
    1. One of a set of measurable factors, such as temperature and pressure, that define a system and determine its behavior and are varied in an experiment.
    2. Usage Problem. A factor that restricts what is possible or what results: “all the parameters of shelter where people will live, what mode of housing they will choose, and how they will pay for it” (New York).
    3. A factor that determines a range of variations; a boundary: an experimental school that keeps expanding the parameters of its curriculum.
  3. Statistics. A quantity, such as a mean, that is calculated from data and describes a population.
  4. Usage Problem. A distinguishing characteristic or feature.

physiatrist n.

  1. A physician who specializes in physical medicine.
  2. A health care professional who administers physical therapy; a physical therapist.

physical therapist n. The person who treats physical dysfunction or injury by the use of therapeutic exercise and the application of modalities, intended to restore or facilitate normal function or development.

sei·zure   

  1. The act or an instance of seizing or the condition of being seized.
  2. A sudden attack, spasm, or convulsion, as in epilepsy or another disorder.
  3. A sudden onset or sensation of feeling or emotion.

se·ro·to·nin  n.  An organic compound, C10H12N2O, formed from tryptophan and found in animal and human tissue, especially the brain, blood serum, and gastric mucous membranes, and active as a neurotransmitter and in vasoconstriction, stimulation of the smooth muscles, and regulation of cyclic body processes.

 

Sleep Disorders People who suffer from sleep disorders have difficulty falling or staying asleep. Sleepiness caused by insomnia, reduces concentration and slows reaction time during waking hours, leading to reduced productivity and accidents. One in three adults experiences some degree of insomnia at one time or another, especially during periods of stress. Longer-lasting cases of insomnia, called chronic insomnia, are less common and may be caused by a number of factors in addition to stress, including imbalances in body chemistry or other medical conditions.

spas·tic   adj.

  1. Of, relating to, or characterized by spasms: a spastic colon; a spastic form of cerebral palsy.
  2. Affected by spastic paralysis.
  3. Offensive Slang. Clumsy or inept.

Spatial  adj  Pertaining to or involving or having the nature of space; "the first dimension to concentrate on is the spatial one"; "spatial ability"; "spatial awareness"; "the spatial distribution of the population.

speech pathologist n.  The person who studies speech defects and disorders such as stuttering and dysphasia.

social worker n. a person who organizes work intended to advance the social conditions of a community, and especially of the disadvantaged, by providing psychological counseling, guidance, and assistance, especially in the form of social services

tem·po·ral  adj.  Of, relating to, or limited by time: a temporal dimension; temporal and spatial boundarie

vi·ce ver·sa  conversely:  the other way around  

vocal tic n.  An involuntary, abrupt, and inappropriate grunt, bark, or other exclamation or utterance, occurring especially in Tourette's syndrome.

vocational rehabilitation counselor n.  The person who is providing training in a specific trade with the aim of gaining  employment

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition  Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.  Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  

Source:  Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P) 2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.  Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc